There is no direction
When every way is the only way
That leads back to where we began
A ghost, for most of our days
We walk alone
One cocoon, shed for another
Time, though linear in our hearts
Stands still for the mind to wrap around
There’s a fire up ahead
If lucky, it’ll consume the destination
Breaking away, in a new direction
Far from the here and now
We can see the flames on the horizon
The smoke already penetrates our lungs
Burns with each breath
Still, it’s the way we must go
The only way, for maybe
Something waits on the other side
Although cruel in its moment
Hope presents itself
As seared desperation melts away
In the eye of self-destruction
“one cocoon shed for another”. Love that.
Powerful piece!
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Thank you very much.
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That picture too…I was in a bushfire as a child. Memories like that never leave you.
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I bet. Fire is scary stuff.
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Loved the chilly feeling that came while reading the poem! It felt like I was actually walking through a forest…
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I appreciate that, thank you.
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Word for word, line by line, I am awed.
I want to highlight the splendid
but I found myself highlighting every line.
This is one of those poems that will outlive
every one of us, and yet will always be new.
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Thank you very much for the kind words.
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Normally, you end strong… but those first two lines are worthy of being quoted by a Zen priest…
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I appreciate that. I was going for fortune cookie but will accept zen priest.
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And then the only way could be every way, depending on how you look at things.
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Very true. We decide what it is that we see.
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After reading multiple times, I’m drawn to ”Time, though linear in our hearts Stands still for the mind to wrap around.” Your writing challenges me to think. 😊
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Thank you. It’s interesting you mention those two lines because I was thinking they were out of place. I might remove them and write an entirely new piece from them. Maybe. Thank you for reading.
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“If lucky, it’ll consume the destination”
That’s such a beautiful line!🙂
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Thank you.
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You’re welcome 🙂
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This one’s outstanding, River. Chilling, intriguing, alluring and yet hopeful. How you create all these gloriously twisted emotions and crystalline imagery I’ll never know. I love “hope presents itself as seared desperation melts away”. I love all of it. You have an amazing mind. 🙂
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Thank you very much, Alli.
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Splendid 😊
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Thank you.
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Hello River,
It’s proving to be an impossible task trying to send out the invites. If
you still like, you can request access to my blog. I will accept my
regulars.
Sorry for this hassle.
– Jen
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Thanks for letting me know, I just requested an invite.
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River this is such a powerful piece. You can feel the intensity, in the midst of destruction, yet there is Hope. Closing lines “As seared desperation melts away In the eye of self-destruction”
Such vivid imagery…😊
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Thank you, Yonnie. You’re always supportive of my work and I really appreciate that.
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You are certainly welcome, River. 😊
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A fabulous piece. As usual.
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Thanks, Rita.
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oh man oh man! Love this River. Yes, that cocoon line… YES!
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Thank you, Tara.
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Fantastic piece 💗
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Thank you.
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Something waits on the other side
Although cruel in its moment — this is the line that stayed with me. It makes me think of change, which is not always easy.
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Very true, change can be painful. And at times, so can hope. Thank you.
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You are welcome. It’s always great to read your words.
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Refining by fire is never pleasant, but as you indicate “Still, it’s the way we must go”
well done
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Thanks, Mark.
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Wonderful piece! One of the best you’ve ever written! A treat to the eyes, a delight to the mind and soul!
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Thank you, Scott. I really appreciate that.
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Why are you walking in circles?
You paired the image so nicely with this piece. It adds to the atmosphere created by the words.
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I think my compass was broken.
Thank you very much for reading.
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Loved this poem
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Thank you, Kat.
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Wow amazing poem.
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Thank you!
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Your writing is beautiful, thought provoking, riveting.
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Thank you very much!
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You are welcome!
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Hey I have nominated you for The Liebster Award.
Kindly check the link please https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/152975494/posts/322
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Your words nearly melted my screen, i could feel the intensity and depth,, throughout the heat in your poem….
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Thank you, Ivor. I really appreciate that!
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you really have a way with your words. excellent piece written!!
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Thank you very much.
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Wow, gives me a bittersweet feeling of the lonely road we all walk, but also the possibilities.
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Thank you very much for reading!
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would narrate a powerful documentary
or intense musical 🙂
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Thank you!
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oh I have nominated you for the The Mystery Blogger Award.
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Hey, thank you!
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Although i don’t put weigh on any kinds of awards. What’s been laboured in silence is good to be recognised in public at times.
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Beautifully said. Thank you again.
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Beautifully written, River! 🙂
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Thank you, Tom.
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A keen insight into internal change. We have lived in several bodies. Each day, new cells are created and old ones die. We exist for only a moment until we are transformed into someone new. Like always, very good word choice! I felt the poem.
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Thank you, I really appreciate you saying that.
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Your writing is so beautiful. So amazing. I’m inspired by every piece. 🔆 thank you for sharing your talent.
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Thank you for the kind words.
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Your welcome dear
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Intense piece, River! We never know what we may encounter on the way or at our destination. I like the feeling of this poem.
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Thank you so much!
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You’re welcome, River!
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“…that leads back to where we began…” I think that can be a good thing. As I get older, I’m realizing that my younger unblemished self had better instincts about some things — not all things, as your previous post said about living fast and dying young — but a better idea of the directions to take, or at least try out. Back when I was fearless and had no baggage! Your line about fire also resonates. Fire can be cleansing, stripping everything away, forcing new growth. You are a very talented writer. I find myself reading your poems over and over to catch all the subtle nuances, and I suspect I still miss many of those nuances. Has anyone told you that you look like Bob Seger? At least your pic on this blog does! Have you ever considered song writing?
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Thank you for the very thoughtful comment. I really appreciate you reading my work.
Funny you mention that, once upon a time I fancied myself as a bit of a songwriter. It’s been a while.
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Very good piece of work, I am going to reblog this one for you.
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Thank you very much for the reblog.
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Reblogged this on Truth Troubles.
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I like the new avatar. It’s… darker
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Thanks.
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Dark, huh? That’s not like me, I’m usually such a ray of frickin’ sunshine.
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hahaha!
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I only just recently started reading your poetry. I may only be turning 16 but these poems are some of the best I’ve seen. I must say, your work is inspiring. From what I have read, your poetry, from start to finish, gives me goosebumps. I feel like it drags me back to my younger days. I may not be qualified in some people’s eyes to say, “my younger days” but the way I grew up, let’s just say I had to grow up fast. I envy those who got to have a real childhood. Still, I try to remember that everything I went through helped to make me who I am today. I’ve almost always loved reading and I love to make up stories of my own as well. I want to become an author when I graduate. And I know it’s a far placed dream, but as Sergeant Aldridge once told me, “Don’t reach for the stars. Reach for the moon so that if you fall short, you’ll still be among the stars.” Your poems help me to remember (in some strange way) everything that happened. Everything that can still happen. And that there is always the smallest bit of hope even in the darkest places. Thank you so much for giving that even if you didn’t know it.
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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment.
It sounds to me like you already have a deep insight into your own experiences. It’s important to remember that the things that happen to us do indeed shape and make us what we are today, but they do not define us. Unless we let them. We can give control to the pain or we can take control of the pain. That’s a choice. And you are right, no matter how dark, how deep, at the base of everything is hope. It’s hard to see at times, but I believe it’s always there. Waiting. But hope too can be painful. Maybe that’s why so often we let go of it.
All reality is based on dreams. There is absolutely no reason why you can’t be an author. Go for it. My opinion is to just write, and never compromise with your words. Write them the way they are meant to be said. If you remain genuine and true to yourself, people will recognize that. They will be drawn to that.
Thanks again, take care, and I look forward to reading your work.
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..lost, found, no direction; human’s destiny where there is a one way. Nice post.
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Thank you so much for reading.
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Love this so much! So beautifully portrayed!
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