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Kit McCallum
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Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada

0 posted 2001-04-04 08:54 PM


Desert of My Soul

Across this barren desert, I have traveled many years,
The tropics of my youth, so long forgotten through the tears;
Before me lies an endless sea of unforgiving sand,
No refuge to be found across this vast, expanse of land.

As sun rays burn my weathered skin, the winds have gathered force,
I urge myself to carry on, to try to stay my course;
But low the sand is warm and soft, it welcomes me to rest,
With no resistance left, I fall … abandoning my quest.

I'm bleeding, broken, laying in this wasteland of despair,
The scavengers are hovering, like devils in the air;
I watch them through my weary eyes, they circle me as prey,
I wave my hands in futile gesture, keeping them at bay.

I struggle through confusing thoughts as conscious efforts shift,
'Twas long ago I lost my will … my mind began to drift;
I started out this journey fortified with faith to burn,
A satchel filled with dreams and hope, renewed at every turn.

No worries to re-fill my cup when I was running low,
For always an oasis gleamed, replenishing my soul;
But somewhere I grew weary and the days grew hot and long,
I lost the small delights of life that kept me fresh and strong.

The nights closed in with vengeance, they were cold and stark and bleak,
With morning just a repetition, nothing left to seek;
My vision had abandoned me, my dreams had turned to dust,
My faith and strength forsaken, in a world I could not trust.

And so I lay, in crumbled mass, upon the desert floor,
Afraid to look ahead to prove there's really nothing more;
The wind is blowing 'cross my brow, the sand is in my eyes,
My throat is parched, no longer can I utter simple cries.

I strain to see above myself, they're closer now I fear,
The scavengers have sensed I've given up, and circle near;
A victim of my own intent, no one to place the blame,
It rests upon my shoulders, it was "I" … who failed the game.

In forfeiture, I close my eyes, surrendering my will,
Assuming I had taken all my mind could take … until …
An outline lingered close to me, I sensed it's breath close by,
I felt it's cold and clammy presence … spewed a frightened cry.

My eyes flew open, there they were!  These creatures of my fear,
Awaiting my demise, they hovered intimately near;
My mind screamed out in protest, "Don't give up and let them win!"
"You've taken all you can, but now you "must" begin again!"

I gathered all the strength I could, and rose from where I lay,
Revitalized with energy that surged from far away;
I stood and faced my fears head on, they backed away in shock,
Renewed in sheer bewilderment … I turned my back and walked.

I headed for the vast unknown, with purpose in my stride,
I mustered all the faith I could, last vestiges of pride;
I scanned the new horizon hoping I could find relief,
And then, to my amazement and my utter disbelief …

I saw with hazy vision, in the distance there appeared,
The form of an oasis … rapt in faith, I persevered.

/Kit McCallum


© Copyright 2001 Kit McCallum - All Rights Reserved
Honeybee
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372
Ontario, CANADA
1 posted 2001-04-04 08:56 PM



Wow Kit! Amazing poem of hope and faith, one of your best  

Take care,
Melissa~

Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
2 posted 2001-04-04 08:57 PM


This was absolutely amazing.  I counted out every word as I went along in beat, and did not loose the rhythm once, what a fantastic job on this.  Your story of course was excellent as well as our poetry.  Well done!

~*~ I write, therefore I am ~*~

SEA
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Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
3 posted 2001-04-04 08:58 PM


WOW!! You blow me away.....this is such a great write and an awesome read!    SEA
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

4 posted 2001-04-04 10:55 PM


Wow.

What to say here?
How long did this take to write Kit? I'm just curious - it's quite a work!

And a work well done..

K

[This message has been edited by Severn (edited 04-04-2001).]

Lone Wolf
Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842
Lansing, MI USA
5 posted 2001-04-04 11:25 PM


Always keep the faith, Kit.  It will see you through anything.  Wonderful write with great images.  

All writing comes
by the grace of God.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Balladeer
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since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
6 posted 2001-04-04 11:43 PM


WOWOW!!! You never fail, Kit! You always deliver the goods in a way that is far and above simple excellence. This is truly excellent work here......
wandering glider
Senior Member
since 2001-04-04
Posts 501
aloft
7 posted 2001-04-05 02:18 AM


Wonderful poem!
Not unlike a Phoenix.
Well told.

DreamLess
Member
since 2001-02-28
Posts 92

8 posted 2001-04-05 03:33 AM


very lovely words , i enjoyed reading it.

WRITTEN BY ME..(17 YRS HIGHSCHOOL GIRL)
EASY ON ME.. I'M JUST AN AMATEUR

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
9 posted 2001-04-05 04:04 AM


Kit,
I just read this one and re-read so many times and kept trying to compose a deserving reply... but I failed to come up with an equal...

SO I just say this is amazing...

Regards,
Sudhir

[This message has been edited by Sudhir Iyer (edited 04-05-2001).]

Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada
10 posted 2001-04-05 07:09 AM


~Melissa:  Thanks Melissa, I really appreciate hearing from you ... I'm glad you enjoyed this piece!  

~Mysteria: I loved to hear you counted the beats Mysteria!  I enjoy it when the flow comes together well, thanks for these kind words!  

~SEA:  Your responses are always so appreciated SEA, thanks so much!  

~Severn: Hmmm, I wrote the first half in the car on an envelope in about 20 minutes, then grabbed 20 minutes here and there to finish it up and fine-tune a bit.  If I add up the bits and pieces, it probably took about 2-3 hours total Kamla. I'm glad you enjoyed, and thank you!  

~Lone Wolf:  I'm glad the imagery came across well Lone Wolf, funny but writing lately has made me want to pull out the paint brushes. I haven't done any oil on canvas in years. Thanks for the inspiration and lovely comment!  

~Balladeer:  I always love to hear your thoughts Michael ... thanks for such a glowing comment, and the wows. I'm afraid sometimes I "do" fail and lose the faith. I suppose that's why I write so many poems on finding it again ... I need to keep reminding myself when I'm down. Hugs to you for these thoughts sweet poet!  

~Wandering Glider:  I'm very appreciative Wandering Glider, thanks so much for this lovely comment, I'm so glad you saw the Phoenix in here!  

~Dreamless: Thank you very much for the kind response Dreamless, it's wonderful to know you have read and enjoyed, very grateful!  

~Sudhir:  You composed a perfect reply Sudhir, and I am truly appreciative. Thanks so much for reading and re-reading ... I'm glad you enjoyed!  

Much appreciation to all,
/Kit

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
11 posted 2001-04-05 07:36 AM


Methinks we have a wonderful epic writer amongst us... This is superb, Kit... I enjoyed every word...
Marge Tindal
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since 1999-11-06
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
12 posted 2001-04-05 07:38 AM


Kit~
This is a wonderful piece of writing, as per your usual standards.
Marvelous message of striving in spite of the odds.

Come climb a mountain with me !  
*Hugs*
~*Marge*~

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


Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

13 posted 2001-04-05 07:39 AM


I didnt know Poe had such a wonderful smile  
Kit this is absolutely outstanding!!!!!
perfect storyboard poetry ...
the meter and cadence is dead on and this is a pure delight to read aloud...
and the imagery and vocabulary are superb ...
the dark egde of desperation and the search for the light were written to a poetic T ...
and the perfect impact of ending in those summation rhymes.
Excellent write here me dear...
a classic piece of Kit-gator-poetry
and thats is always a GOOD thing  
take a bow poetess, I'll applaud  

It's such a clever innocence with which you show myself to me
As if you know how it feels to never be who you wanted to be
~jackson browne~

suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
14 posted 2001-04-06 12:56 PM


This one left me breathless... or perhaps I'm just in awe. *S* Either way... this is exceptional. *S*
CocoBaci
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 3043

15 posted 2001-04-06 01:06 PM


Kit, I just wish to add that I too found this poem spectacular...
My goodness you leave this reader in feelings of overwhelm by the quality of your write and I compliment you sweetie as well I thank you for this fantastic read today...
Hugs2uPoetFriend
~coco~

banburycross
Senior Member
since 2001-03-27
Posts 946
viginia
16 posted 2001-04-06 01:19 PM


I wish i could say something that hasn't already been said, but then again you can never say that this poem is beautiful too many times.  Thank you for such an inspirational read.

Sometimes, the things that go unsaid are the only things worth hearing.

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
17 posted 2001-04-06 01:37 PM


A ballad true...well done our Kit....
Panne447
Member
since 2001-04-03
Posts 196
S.A. TX
18 posted 2001-04-06 03:21 PM


Kit, This was an excellent read. I am so glad I came in here.  Thanks for sharing this ray of hope. Panne
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