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Open Poetry #42
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scoff
Member
since 2008-07-04
Posts 71
Georgia

0 posted 2008-07-04 10:19 AM



The long road of my life still beckons -
a signal from a dim and distant shore,
a siren's plaintive call, a promise unkept
and a subtle suggestion of uncertainty.

Derelict memories stand like leafless trees,
naked, lining the shadowed path I must follow,
solemn reminders of each step taken
to reach this cold and lonely crossroad.

The black night of doubt astounds me
as stygian emptiness surrounds me.
Like shadows cast by lightning's flash,
my words reveal only a glimpse
of the wasteland of my aching heart.
Time's stark silhouette is a cryptic hint
of the violent cataclysm of tomorrow.

Wretched echoes of my reverie return me,
hopeless dreamer, to an ill-fated fantasy
of rapt anticipation, breathlessly awaiting
the turn of the page, the end of the story.

But, like some ethereal entity that never dies,
the dream lives on and on forever in your eyes -
a jibe at my weary soul, a scant sign of warning,
a hint of the imminent storm and things to come,
an artifact of the perilous past, a harbinger
of the long road that still lies before me.

© Copyright 2008 S. H. Coffey - All Rights Reserved
miscellanea
Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060
OH
1 posted 2008-07-04 10:34 AM


Scoff,

    Wonderful, wonderful first post!  Among your words, I feel increasing hope, even through the darkest night.  In a way, something in your poem reminds me of one of my poems I wrote long ago.  If I can find it, I'll add this to my response.

           ~miscellanea~

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
2 posted 2008-07-04 10:36 AM


Fantastic first post, Scoff. Welxome to PIP.
                                       Ida

miscellanea
Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060
OH
3 posted 2008-07-04 11:05 AM


Scoff,

   Especially liked this!

     "Like shadows cast by lightning's flash,
my words reveal only a glimpse"  Terrific analogy!  (I'm saving your poem in my library here.  Thanks!)

  There was something about your poem that compelled me to give you this link.  I hope that's ok.   ~miscellanea~

/main/forumdisplay.cgi?action=displayarchive&number=93&topic=000393

  

scoff
Member
since 2008-07-04
Posts 71
Georgia
4 posted 2008-07-04 11:16 AM


Thank you, Marchmadness. The welcome is much appreciated.

And thank you, miscellanea.

It's not hope. It's acceptance. I'm just along for the ride.

"As a man's desire is, so is his destiny."
-Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Max Ehrmann, D

miscellanea
Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060
OH
5 posted 2008-07-04 11:40 AM


Scoff,

  I hear what you're saying.  I guess my hope is in that I will be able to deal with acceptance.  In that manner, I suppose it's called faith, rather than hope.  I have my words all mixed up!!! Please excuse.

   Well defined in your perception, Scoff.  I like how you think and spur others to think.

             ~misC~

              

scoff
Member
since 2008-07-04
Posts 71
Georgia
6 posted 2008-07-04 12:27 PM


miscellanea,

I guess it's all a matter of perspective, and that, IMO, is the barrier between all of us. To me, good poetry melds meaning with beauty and emotion. That's what I attempt to do.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Desiderata by

A Romantic Heart
Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496
Forever In Your Heart
7 posted 2008-07-04 02:24 PM


Welcome, Welcome!

I tuely enjoyed your poetry,
a delicious treat for my heart, mind,
and soul.

Shocklingly close to perfection!

The long road of my life still beckons -
a signal from a dim and distant shore,
a siren's plaintive call, a promise unkept
and a subtle suggestion of uncertainty.

For some strange reason I felt a tug and pull,
a connection to evey word in this stanza....

~ARH

scoff
Member
since 2008-07-04
Posts 71
Georgia
8 posted 2008-07-04 04:45 PM


Thank you, ARH, for the kind words and the enthusiastic welcome.
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