navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #10 » Just a Traveler
Open Poetry #10
Post A Reply Post New Topic Just a Traveler Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California

0 posted 2000-09-25 08:48 PM



When was it I crossed the river
and found that the other side
had all those slippery cliffs
just like the one I came from,
it was full of obstructions,
thorny terrain
that made the climbing treacherous,
and I couldn’t go back
(didn’t want to really)
for this journey I found
was prickly
no matter which direction you took
and the sky turned from darkest night,
star studded at times
or filled with a perfectly ripe moon,
yes, and if you touched it just right
it brought depth and shadow to the road.

I wanted to find the perfect place
to build a me in
and I thought a meadow with ocean view
would be my completion,
to step out onto a balcony
and be hit by the spray of ocean’s curl
and to sleep to the sound,
the heart beat of the earth,
but I found that peace is transitory,
it gifts you in splashes
and passion crashes to your shore
only when you pull strength
from all those thorny voyages that cried
or that danced around you in beguile
showing you the dance is solitaire, really
just the slippery floor and you
in old and weighted boots trying to capture
some sort of bliss.

So forgive me if I touch you
with my jaded tongue and my need to fill up,
torch the condo and the file cabinet full,
full of all that ache from something
that I can’t even name,
forgive me if I throw words around
and melt when you say my name,
for I am still just a traveler
trying to find a home
yet, knowing that I carry it around
and sometimes
it is just too damn heavy!



© Copyright 2000 Martie Odell Ingebretsen - All Rights Reserved
Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
1 posted 2000-09-25 09:18 PM


there's an incredible amount of TRUTH here.
and maybe only those of us - who've walked in such boots will recognize it - I for one found it not only true - but beautiful - and can only say:
"forgive me if I touch you
with my jaded tongue and my need to fill up,
torch the condo and the file cabinet full,
full of all that ache from something
that I can’t even name"
and I too find it
" just too damn heavy!"

Damm - you write well!


~You have to have a dream so you can get up in the morning.

~ Billy Wilder

Ethan Halo
Senior Member
since 2000-04-28
Posts 793
on the roof again
2 posted 2000-09-25 10:34 PM


A magnificent piece of work with an interesting point. home is where the heart is, but i do feel sometimes that having a heart is such a cross to bear.

the picture you paint of your cozy little beach house is wonderful!

thanks for posting this. i enjoyed it very much.

Everyone's got their demons.
We all got somethin' to atone for.

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
3 posted 2000-09-25 10:58 PM


Bill--somehow I knew you would understand this...thanks so much for that.

Ethan--I wish there had been a beach house, but it still is just a dream of mine...and not one that would make me happy...not really.  I'm glad you enjoyed my poem.

Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

4 posted 2000-09-26 12:28 PM


and be hit by the spray of ocean’s curl
and to sleep to the sound,
the heart beat of the earth,
but I found that peace is transitory,
it gifts you in splashes
and passion crashes to your shore
only when you pull strength
from all those thorny voyages that cried
or that danced around you in beguile
showing you the dance is solitaire, really
just the slippery floor and you
in old and weighted boots trying to capture
some sort of bliss.


What words can I find to describe the effect these words had on me? None really. I read this aloud...have you read it aloud Martie? Very important to read your own work aloud.

This is truly one of your most wonderful poems..it is so tight, and is so profound. Gotta be printed I say!

Hugs

K

"He looked across the
silky surface of the Severn...
it was a famously difficult
river with fierce tides..."


From Jack Maggs


Mike
Member Elite
since 1999-06-19
Posts 2462

5 posted 2000-09-26 12:36 PM


our journeys do indeed follow the contours of life...  wonderful poetry Martie.
Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
6 posted 2000-09-26 02:32 AM


To touch upon
the traveler in time
within the reach as
one would walk
and meld in sync
to the heartbeat
of such is to relish
in the tenderment
of souls coliding
within given force of
true friendship.  
Set sails to horizons
in the dusk and find
given lines in which
a new life begins
with the breaching of a
new dawn.  Cherish the
gifts of burdens laid
to rest in the realms
of forgiving arms as
once again you are
held in the securities
of yesterdays words.

[This message has been edited by Mark Bohannan (edited 09-27-2000).]

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
7 posted 2000-09-26 10:42 AM


Kamla, dear one---no, I haven't read it aloud, but I will...thank you for reminding me of this and for your words...when you like my poetry, I am so pleased!!

Mike--Yes, they do...thanks for reading, my friend.

Mark--Your verse touches my heart and leaves me speechless.

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
8 posted 2000-09-26 11:35 AM


Martie~

'I found that peace is transitory,
it gifts you in splashes'


What an absolutely truthful thought !
Smiling with the image of you.
~*Marge*~



~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com



Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
9 posted 2000-09-26 09:31 PM


Marge--I know you have been splashed many times...thanks for being you!
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

10 posted 2000-09-27 02:10 AM


So forgive me if I touch you
with my jaded tongue and my need to fill up,
torch the condo and the file cabinet full,
full of all that ache from something
that I can’t even name,
forgive me if I throw words around
and melt when you say my name,
for I am still just a traveler
trying to find a home
yet, knowing that I carry it around
and sometimes
it is just too damn heavy!

=======================
I call it the ache of again ..
file it under A ...
better yet..lets put it out on the curb on trash day ..
if only we could charge the past rent ...
make it pay for the space it takes up..
yes we aways carry it with us..
this is metaphorically amazing ...
hope my read is close to how you meant it ...
later my sweet gator
me

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
11 posted 2000-09-27 10:56 AM


You're exhausted and weary
From the thorns of the road
But you find that your burden
Doesn't rest with the load
You can throw in a closet
And forget for a while
For there's lessons you need
From each painful mile
The person beside you
Pays for other's sins
Until trust owns your heart
For then it begins
To heal the past
And allow you to grow
It is then, not before,
That true peace you'll know.

I like this very much, Martie!

[This message has been edited by suthern (edited 09-27-2000).]

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
12 posted 2000-09-27 01:47 PM


Janet--I don't really want to trash any of the ache...it was important in making me who I am...and I kind of like who I am...

suthern--what a wonderful verse you have penned, and so true...thank you for including it here.

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
13 posted 2000-09-27 05:57 PM


travelers in midst
of mornings fog
weeping in tears
of yesterdays bath
of sunshine.  Forever
willing to walk
paths again among
orange blossoms
in trails of
different light
as doors are opened
in tomorrows shedding.
Hands upon heart
as scarring begins
in refreshment of
friends in this
travelers night.

Came by to make sure this one was in my library.

[This message has been edited by Mark Bohannan (edited 09-27-2000).]

Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

14 posted 2000-09-27 06:08 PM


Martie, the way you pen your thoughts is just INCREDIBLE! Loved this!  
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
15 posted 2000-09-27 06:59 PM


Mark--thank you for coming by again and for another beautiful verse...and your library...what a special place for this to be, thanks.

Maree--Hi there, so glad you let me know you liked this.

juliet_2u
Senior Member
since 2000-07-23
Posts 1125
North Carolina
16 posted 2000-09-27 08:12 PM


Martie, wow and double wow. What a beauty this is. Loved it girl.
Juls

Poertree
Senior Member
since 1999-11-05
Posts 1359
UK
17 posted 2000-10-05 06:40 AM


yup, you are quite good at this .. aren't you....~smile~

philip

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
18 posted 2000-10-05 10:18 AM


juls--thanks for the double wow!

Philip--It is what I do...if it pleases you then I'm glad...cause it pleases me to write.

lucky
Senior Member
since 2000-01-17
Posts 1601
Idaho
19 posted 2000-10-05 02:36 PM


Life is like Crossing Rivers. We like to think there is new foreign ground to cover which may be true but the same bleu sky is always over us and we're still probably wearing the same old shoes. I long awaited these tranquil fifties only to find I needed another prescription to get me around and through. Well Martie this is starting to sound like another poem but I just thought I'd add my note and say how much I liked what you wrote.



[This message has been edited by lucky (edited 10-05-2000).]

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #10 » Just a Traveler

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary