Thursday, July 4, 2013

I’ll Never Know For Sure--By Jean Calkins--United States

I’ll Never Know For Sure
(Terza Rima Sonnet)

Life-long I’ve wondered if my destiny
would differ if forbidden love was mine,
instead of second choice reality.

But I was young, distrusting love’s design.
What did I really know? But fantasy
would lead me to ordained affinity.

What did I ken of that first love? I ask.
Had he a job? A car? What future hope?
My immaturity could not unmask

the answer. But my new love was no dope
and was a faithful man, up to each task.
Still I’m confused as a kaleidoscope.

Life-long I’ve wondered if my destiny
would lead me to ordained affinity.

2012 1st Place, Indiana State Federation of Poetry Clubs

Jean, at 80, has been writing poems since she was 18. For 25 years she published a popular poetry quarterly of up to 100 pages, with a subscribership of nearly 500. Illness in 1986 ended the magazine. She currently publishes, by email, a 2-page monthly of clean humor. Contact her at jcalkins01@charter.net.

7 comments:

  1. Upon reading your poetry, I find your words leaving me full of thought. Interesting, bringing me to read you again...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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    1. Thank you, Jean Calkins, for the following comment--

      Thank you for your kind words on my poem in July. I wish I could find time to comment on poems. My eyes are bad; I've been ill for 30 years, and at age 80, I have little energy and have to take frequent breaks, but I always appreciate those who take the time to read the poems and comment.

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  2. Dear Jean,,

    coulda' been? I'm glad I waited (although the first was a pretty good catch). Wonderings lead me to kaleidoscope too.

    love,
    Kathy

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  3. Dear Jean,

    I can see why this won first place and congratulations to you. A wonderful poem of lingering questions we often ask of ourselves in in those quiet moments.Thank you for sharing this poem with us.

    Sandra

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    1. Thank you, Jean Calkins, for the following comment--

      I appreciate your specific references in your comment. I am often surprised when others see in my work what never entered my mind. Thanks for taking time to comment.

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  4. Jean, I agree with Sandra. There are some beautiful thoughts and images throughout this poem. I'm still looking at the world through that kaleidoscope. Perhaps there is a love yet to come. Very nice! Carolyn Devonshire

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    1. Thank you, Jean Calkins, for the following comment--

      At 80 years of age (husband 91), I doubt there will be a new love in my life. I'm finally learning to cope with this since I have become dependent on him these days when I can do little. I never see in my poems what others see, but appreciate that others are touched.

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