A Many Splendored Thing

Cows graze in fields high upon a hill
amidst the rugged splendor
eating grasses which sway with grace
in mid-day breeze.

In remote Asian marble halls
a family deny their blessings to
a relationship of mixed race

Undeterred and, promising to return
her love leaves to
report on the war in Korea
where warriors on both sides
fight fierce battles
and surrounded by smoke and the whine
of bombs and bullets, he writes
then, pauses to watch a butterfly
land on his typewriter

and, she waits

Suffering in silence
living for their constant
exchange of letters
until a friend breaks the news
he has been killed

In denial

She climbs the hill where
they’d picnicked and pledged
their everlasting love
Shaken, falls her to knees
and the butterfly
lands on a tree.

~*~

© Daydreametoo           *All rights reserved

Ever the romantic, this is where the wordle words led me this week. It’s based on the movie   ‘Love is a many splendoured thing’  Staring William Holden and Jennifer Jones. A weepie, and hearing the famous song based on this movie always brings tears to my eyes.

Love is a many splendored thing
It’s the April rose
That only grows in the early spring
Love is nature’s way of giving
A reason to be living
The golden crown that makes a man a king

Once on a high and windy hill
In the morning mist
Two lovers kissed
And the world stood still
Then your fingers touched
My silent heart and taught it how to sing
Yes, true love’s
A many splendored thing

Once on a high and windy hill
In the morning mist
Two lovers kissed
And the world stood still
Then your fingers touched
My silent heart and taught it how to sing
Yes, true love’s
A many splendored thing

~~~~

Who could not be moved by the passion in that 🙂

Shared with The Sunday Whirl #73
Poets United Pantry #114

Author: Daydreamer

I live on a beautiful island in Atlantic Canada.

40 thoughts on “A Many Splendored Thing”

  8. Your poem reminded me of the movie before I got to your notes and the song lyric, so I don’t suppose there could be a greater compliment, could there?

  10. Romance at its best….I loved the movie and the song……can relate to the story as well…nicely done.

  14. I have never seen this movie, but now I want to. Awesome write girl.

  15. hi beauty, i’ve seen this movie many times and you have done it
    mucho justice. very lovley, written with true emotion.

  16. Loved the movie and done long before it was an acceptable thing to do. I, myself, am the product of a mixed marriage. When growing up I believe we were the only family of its’ kind…mom being very Caucasion and dad’s mixed ethnicity of French, Spanish, German, and Native American Indian being a very dark olive complexion. The neighborhood was very much Caucasion except for three Latino families. It was interesting growing up. I never really knew where I fit in. Lovely write.

  21. ah, but do you know which unlikely person wrote the song?
    By coincidence I just found out yesterday and still don’t believe it.

  25. This is gorgeous, and sad. You do the movie justice. I just might be doing a little Netflix reminiscing this afternoon. 🙂 Thanks for your contribution, Bren. I love my stops here.

  29. really great capture…sad tht a mixed race wedding is denied…i love the touches of the batterfly in this as well….not sure i have seen the movie….

  30. I really love this poem: an un-obvious deployment of the wordle words, and a great romantic story. I remember that film, too, but hadn’t thought of it until I read your process notes etc.

  34. Great movie. Filmed in my home city, so I particularly enjoy it. My parents met Holden while he was there. And, you are right, a weepie.

  35. I have not seen the movie either, but I do know the beautiful song. You have painted a painful picture with the words. I like the juxtaposition between the serenity of the cows – symbols of equinimity – amidst life’s cruelties. The ending is stunningly beautiful. Well done.

  37. It brought back the memories, Bren! One of my fav love songs! One that lingers on with easy lyrics. Thanks for sharing!

    Hank

  38. I know the song but never seen the movie and all lovey dovey once more at your shore, although the ending surely sounds like a drag, not getting a tail wag.

    1. Beautiful poems… I love the images… “eating grasses which sway with grace”… and then the golden crown that makes a man a king and your fingers touched my silent heart and taught it how to sing…:” So lovely and beautifully written. Very powerful without being sentimental. Well done!

Comments are closed.