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Open Poetry #12
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VAS
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450
Oregon

0 posted 2001-02-15 08:52 AM


Through the Gate
Virginia Salter

through the gate is a wilderness
unmet and untamed,
by the knowledge I am holding,
by the promise I’ve yet to claim.

should I venture forward
seek its potential cream
or might it mar and maim
what I’ve left of my dream

though the gate be made of iron
attached to wood, splintered and worn,
covered with verdant ivy
and roses clad with thorns

should I step right on through it
should I make my valiant move
for what am I looking
what do I seek to prove

I look around for my answer
and deep within my heart
weigh the choice of remaining
with the loss should I depart

might I grow in stature
might my mission be conceived
must I stay one part of passion
should I decide I will not leave

is it my voice that’s calling
or the One I seek to believe
I shall put one foot forward
leave to Him what I receive

the sound of my footsteps
seem in rhythm to His will
they echo of His promise
to remain with me still

more boldly do I go now
into this wilderness
my heart is truly gladdened
for I sense His sweet caress

© August 17. 2000

© Copyright 2001 Virginia Salter - All Rights Reserved
Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

1 posted 2001-02-15 09:06 AM


Virginia,

I loved this. You encourage critique, may I suggest a few changes for flow?

Ok, here they are

through the gate is a wilderness
UNCONQUERED; NOT YET TAME
by the knowledge I am holding,
by the PROMISES I CLAIM.

should I JUST venture forward
SEEKING ALL potential cream
or WOULD it mar and maim
THE BALANCE of my dream

I SEE A GATE OF iron
attached TO SPRINTERS worn,
AND COVERED verdant ivy
A ROSE ALIVE FROM THORN.

should I STEP BOLDLY THROUGH it
should I make my valiant move
WHY AM I SEARCHING, looking
what do I seek to prove

I TURN around for ANSWERS
and deep within my heart
I weigh the choice; remaining
FROM the loss should I depart

I LONG TO GROW IN stature
A MISSION TO CONCEIVE
must I stay one part passion
should I DECIDE TO leave

DO I HEAR MY OWN SOUND calling
or the One THAT I believe
I WILL put one foot forward
leave to Him what I receive

the sound of my OWN footsteps
seem in rhythm to His will
they ECHO ALL HIS promiseS
REMAINING WITH ME still

boldly do I go now
into this wilderness
my heart is truly gladdened
I sense His sweet caress


I didn't mean to get carried away but I feel that verbs and nouns should carry a poem and I worked on some of the prepositional phrasing also. Writing in the present tense is usually a good rule of thumb, although there is poetic license always! Also the pattern of rhyming in the second and fourth lines should (in my opinion) be consistently perfect if starting out that way. OH, boy
I do get into this, don't I?

The wilderness theme is a special one for me, personally, and I hope you don't mind my critique. It means I loved it!!!

"When red-haired girls scamper like roses over the rain-green grass,
and the sun drips honey."
Laurie Lee




[This message has been edited by Kathleen (edited 02-15-2001).]

VAS
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-11-16
Posts 7450
Oregon
2 posted 2001-02-15 09:51 AM


Interesting and thought-provoking suggestions. I'll have to ponder them. I've not enough time right now to make sure the original intent is not changed. The one quick thing, the adding of the word 'just' is a red flag. I often use that word and have been repeatedly told that 'just' just isn't for poetry.

I truly thank you for your ideas and want to give warrant to considering them.

Virginia

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
3 posted 2001-02-15 03:38 PM


Very interesting Virgina...James
Poeminister
Senior Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 1862
Regina SK; Canada
4 posted 2001-02-15 03:59 PM


Wonderful, i find this is one of my top favorites of the works that i've read of you. It reads beautifully aloud, in its rhymework and flow. Excellent writing.

Poeminister

"The soul can split the sky in two,
And let the face of God shine through."
~Millay




[This message has been edited by Poeminister (edited 02-15-2001).]

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
5 posted 2001-02-15 05:16 PM


I think it's very well done as it reads although some of Kathleen's suggestions had their merit...but all in all a very well written piece.....take care

Reality seldom bears the possibilities of imagination!

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