»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #6
»
Winter's Roads (with apologies to RF)
| Open Poetry #6 |
|
Winter's Roads (with apologies to RF) |
|
|
Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US 
|
The Winter of 1999 was the first time in over two decades that I found myself immobilized by heavy snow. For three very long days. One result of that enforced isolation was a poem called Winter's Threads. Not being one to repeat past mistakes (I much prefer the excitement of making new ones), this year I packed my motorhome the day after Christmas, with the intention of spending winter in California. As many of you already know, I made it only as far as Louisiana, where I stopped to visit family (and instead became involved with family). I've stayed warm, renewed some familial bonds, and learned I'm really not very well suited to the travelling life. Eight weeks later, with warm weather breaking in Michigan, I again headed North. Tonight is my third on the road, and the first where I've found a modem connection. I'm only about six hours from home, but I know once I arrive it will take me another day or two to reconnect my computer and otherwise get established again. So I'm taking this opportunity to post the sequel to Winter's Threads. And it seems entirely appropriate to post while I'm still traveling those … Winter's Roads I cannot speak for all who stem 'Long roads less traveled as their way, Nor question choices made by them In days long past or nights long dim by words they spoke and did not say. Each road is long, though short it seems, And credence gives each road a name Of fantasies sun-drenched in beams Or choices turned to darkened dreams, To where each road wends just the same. From North to South, then back again, I followed birds like all the rest Escaping nature's snowy den On roads I've seen and places been, Forsaking roads that traveled West. This journey grows now to its end, As road reflections lined in chrome Give way to roads with greater bend And empty signs that still pretend They point the way to home sweet home. But all roads lead to where we go And where we go is where we've been, So home is just a word we know, That space in time most apropos For where we want to be again. For even home, it seems to me, Is still a choice we all must face From day to day and endlessly, To choose if home is going to be Another road - or just a place. |
||
| © Copyright 2000 Ron Carnell - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Couldn't be said any better than that Ron. I'm 32 and have yet to find my "home". The road is as close as I have come. Great to see a post from you - finally. A wonderful poem. Michael [This message has been edited by Michael (edited 02-27-2000).] |
||
|
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
A journey far from winter's blight The snowbird’s wings on sunbeam’s ray Till spring’s bloom beckons return flight Wise avian’s homebound alight An eager heart finds home this day… New words from you, my dear friend... are always a joy.... Change duly noted - Talk to Damsal about the rest....  Googols.. [This message has been edited by Nan (edited 02-28-2000).] |
||
|
Grandma Jo Member
since 2000-01-02
Posts 51 |
It is hard to find true feelings of "home" sometimes. This is a beautiful poem. Thanks for sharing. |
||
Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Ron~ Nice to hear from you. Glad to hear you're almost 'home'. Wherever that might be ... it's where you're at. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ [email protected] |
||
|
hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
A beautiful poem Ron....don't believe you owe Robert Frost a bit of appology for this  |
||
|
Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Ron, Nice one, Good read, well done. |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Ron, m'boy, if you're escaping Nature's snowy den in Monroe, La and Michigan in February, we gotta talk!!! Excellent writing, as usual with much to say. Nice to see you again |
||
|
Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Yep, can relate to this one quite a bit. Heard this great rock tune, never did find out who the artist was, but it was a song about searching for home, and in the last line, he sings, Maybe I'm already there. Corinne p.s. I hope you find what you seek. |
||
|
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Wonderful poem Ron. Sometimes the road you take to search for a 'home' leads you back to the place you started.....home. Who knows where it is really? "Where the heart is"? Perhaps. Where you 'lay your head'? Probably. But it's also the place we long for in moments of loneliness....at the end of a journey...turn right at the next stop sign..there it is...home.......... Hope the final leg of your journey is safe and creatively fruitful...  |
||
|
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Wonderful poem Ron--made me want to go a traveling--but I truly think that home is where your heart is--with those you love--wherever that might be, and inside your own sweet self. |
||
|
Mistikman Senior Member
since 2000-01-10
Posts 682San Jose, CA, USA |
Great poem Ron. I think this is the first poem of yours I have read Thats what I get for not paying attention, heh |
||
|
Gemini Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203Wisconsin, USA |
As we get ready to sell our home, I have mixed feelings as our family moves in with my mother in her house before we build. It will be a time of anxiety and true marriage testing. I understand what you mean by a home. Great work here. |
||
|
Isis Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296Sunny Queensland |
Ron so lovely to see a posting from you!! This was beautiful, I'll add despite the roads, home is where the heart is May the world hug you today, With it's warmth and love. I pray it whispers a joyful tune in your heart, That tell you there is a friend sitting in another corner of the world, Wishing you well and wishing you love...... ~Isis~ (Goddess - Sovereign of the Spirit) |
||
|
doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
Excellent! Thank you for taking the time to share this during your journey. We are, indeed, on journey quest, one day we'll find we've passed the test, for knowing where we were before will lead us to tomorrow's door. Each day, we travel toward a goal, through sun and snow and rain, we're whole, and beckoned by the light of day, we reach tomorrow, come what may. And when snow stops us cold, in tracks, we contemplate on what life lacks, and soon our tracks are covered by tomorrow's smile beneath the cry of whispers melded with the dew... our home inside us finds us new. Thanks for inspiring me to write that... for what it's worth....  -doreen |
||
|
Soleil Member
since 1999-06-12
Posts 113 |
A well placed and felt sentiment. |
||
|
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Great poem, Ron! Have a safe journey! Denise |
||
|
WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
I'm glad you posted this! Excellent! I can't believe no-one said this... A house is made of brick and stone, A home is made of love alone. I find that to be true, seeing as how I've moved so many times. It would actually be nice to "go" somewhere for pleasure, and not because I had to. One's things for sure though, there's no place like coming back home! Be safe! |
||
|
Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
uhhhh.....Excellent ! And I meant it too ! Good to see you post some "magic" again Ron |
||
|
suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Wonderful poem, Ron... travel safely! I didn't know you'd been in Louisiana... you should have said howdy! LOL |
||
|
Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Thank you, all, for the kind words and good advice. Nan, the beauty of your words is exceeded only by your vocabulary! I might suggest a minor change, however: An eager heart finds home this day would surely be closer to the Truth.Ruth, I appreciate the reassurances, but I suspect RF turned over in his grave a few times. I kept the rhyme scheme, but badly mangled his meter. Still, as I was driving my first night on the road, his poem was one that kept coming to mind. Balladeer, it wasn't half bad in Louisiana this year - the mud never got above my shins. And Michigan, they tell me, just experienced its warmest day ever in February; 75 degrees. Sharon, if home is the place we long for in moments of loneliness then I don't need an RV. I need a time machine… Mistikman, I'm sure you were paying attention - this just happens to be my first post in a very long time. Gemini, you are not selling a home - it's just a house. But I'm glad you enjoyed the poem. Doreen, it's always nice to be an inspiration. Thank you! WhtDove, I know what you mean about moving. I used to move every three years, just about as regularly as a clock. Then I finally figured out it was cheaper to get a maid when the place got dirty! suthern, I didn't know! My Dad's whole family is from the Monroe area, and I once spent a lot of time down as a kid. It's been a LOT of years, but it seems the only thing that's changed is that everything I remember got a lot smaller. Must be all the rain… Again, my thanks to all for reading. I'm beginning to think the definition of "home" is much simpler than any poet ever conceived - home is where the phone line terminates! |
||
|
Meadowmuse Member Elite
since 1999-12-27
Posts 3263 |
There is a timeless feel and traditional rhythm to this piece that carried me along in the reading. A message of wisdom borne of living. Enjoyed it fully. Claire |
||
|
Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
A wonderful and enjoyable poem to read aloud. I love the verses and rhyming pattern, it's like music to me. Liz |
||
|
Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
"But all roads lead to where we go And where we go is where we've been, So home is just a word we know, That space in time most apropos For where we want to be again." words of wisdom...beautiful poem... I have been looking for a post of yours since I came here...I wanted to tell our gracious host THANK YOU for this amazing place...it is a gift to us all... take care, janet marie She says baby, It's 3am I must be lonely, When she says baby, Well I can't help but be scared of it all sometimes, Says the rains gonna wash away I believe it. Matchbox20 I love you baby... always.* |
||
|
RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
Ron: As the saying goes, "Home is where the heart is".. HUGS Live in my heart and pay no rent... |
||
|
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Janet Marie - We keep Ron much too busy here to leave him much time to write new poetry. Geesh, you guys even keep ME too busy to write much, and he's got multitudes more work than I... Since you're much too unpretentious to boast, m'dear friend.... I'll direct these guys your way for ya - I sure hope you don't mind... Follow this link to read more of Ron's Poetry. You'll be glad you did... [This message has been edited by Nan (edited 02-29-2000).] |
||
|
LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Welcome back, Ron. Isn't it great to return from a sabbatical to find you never really left? I thoroughly enjoyed reading your poem, and the wonderful poetic replies by nan and Doreen. Beautiful people write self-descriptive verse. |
||
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
"But all roads lead to where we go And where we go is where we've been, So home is just a word we know, That space in time most apropos For where we want to be again. For even home, it seems to me, Is still a choice we all must face From day to day and endlessly, To choose if home is going to be Another road - or just a place." I have always felt like a sort of snail really, and find I am at home anywhere that my family is there or at least close by. I loved Becka's comment on this thread, and I sure hope she gets home too. Beautiful poem Ron, really heartfelt. |
||
|
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I enjoyed the responses as much as the poem to be honest, as I have always thought home to be a frame of mind actually that you surround in some comforts. I loved this one though. |
||
|
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I keep coming back to read this one, perhaps I should just be quiet when I do, but then it wouldn't get a re-run, and it truly is a heart-warming poem that I personally happen to just love. |
||
|
Drauntz Member Elite
since 2007-03-16
Posts 2905Los Angeles California |
beautiful. again beautiful. |
||
|
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Where is Winter Threads in here? It was on the main site, but not here? I can't find it? If you deleted it I would sure like you to post it again (by request) for this time of year. However, this is lubberly too. |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
