.

Coupled in Rhyme

She sees me better than I do,
so in her sight I strive to be
worthy to lie with, never to lie to.
She knows me better than my best,
brings comfort to my days, makes manifest
the loving balm of actuality;
in her calm embrace I long to belong.

She stands a standard in my heart
—love evergreen—a guaranty
engaging others, setting us apart
from those who talk but do not act:
for Love is a verb, not vague nor abstract,
a constant growing, a blossomy tree
sinewy delicate, gracefully strong.

.

.

Jonathan Kinsman’s book length poem, ‘Canso of California,’ won the 2006 James Irvine Award for the “Best Narrative Poem about California.” He was the first  Laureate to serve two counties simultaneously from 2012-2020. His commentary and poems appeared recently (Jan 2024) in the Journal of Humanistic Mathematics. He toils in the vineyards of the Lord, aka, 8th grade public school English classes in northern Sacramento Valley. 

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6 Responses

  2. Jonathan Kinsman

    Thank you, Colonel. It is part of our craft, I believe, to strive for fluidity and grace in the form we choose and the words we use. My muse of 50 years is my ultimate critic and Shoshana has approved this poem. Hah! I hope others notice the double meaning in the second stanza: she is my standard, by Brigade colors, and she sets a standard (always love and look to love) in my heart.

    Wisdom plays upon the fields of the Lord and Poetry should have all the play dates ! Thanks again, and Go Army, Beat Navy !!

    Reply
  3. C.B. Anderson

    Though this poet is not my kinsman, I feel a familial familiarity with what he is getting down to. Great stuff, one of the best I have read this year.

    Reply
  4. Jonathan Kinsman

    That is high praise, dear friend, coming from you.

    I remember ‘Yonder,’ one of my all time favorite poems with the ending line of “A place where fancied facts all fractures heal.”

    You hone a well-turned phrase, so I am truly thankful for the praise.

    Thank you CB for your wit and poetry!!

    Jonathan

    Reply
  5. Margaret Coats

    A strong ending, Jonathan, is worth whatever labor or musing it takes, and you have one here. Your theme is twice expressed and doubly confirmed in pairs of contrasting words coupled to form that last line.

    Reply
  6. Jonathan Kinsman

    Thank you, Margaret. I hope it wasn’t too obvious (I try to be evocative vis-a-vis parallel meanings) with the Tree of Life in constant bloom and the descriptive of “I Am” with “Love is a verb…”. Your critical acumen is refreshing.

    Shoshana’s poems always elicit a “what else is going on here” comment from my bemused but insightful Muse! Hah! Now I have air support (you and CB) to back my operational excursions into reporting on the dual nature of Love and Faith,

    And keep pushing Cristina into the Canon!

    Jonathan

    Reply

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