Knowing the Road and Taking it

My satisfaction comes not from blanket-warm tranquility --

I hunt for deeper oceans, as fingertips walking a globe

and tracing the static shapes of might-have-been, stuck

in the cross-hatched network of latitudes and longitudes.

 

I should be content with it: the view from this window,

the garden beyond in mid-growth, the sage hills

that roll toward a blue expanse of angel’s tears. 

 

                        because you have the life, my dear,

                        so many voices mouthing the words,

                        what more could you possibly want for?

 

A backpack and a road map -- perhaps -- a way out --

the courage to see beyond these walls and know

the texture of European masonry, the taste of neon

filtered through dilated pupils on the arteries of Shanghai,

and the crayon bright swatches of Holland’s tulip fields,

where flowers are more than decoration for dirt mounds.

 

I ache to be unburdened, long for wandering contemplation --

my ivory tree will bloom again, but overzealous pruning

has left it in a state of temporary stasis -- it needs time to breathe. 

 

                        but you are rooted to this place --

                        and it will always be the home where

                        my shoes are most comfortably kicked off,

                        but my soles need to be worn a little first. 

Reviews

[Larry Dyson]

wandering in and out of the person and the place...a true traveler in the beginning of learning the eye to see and the ear to hear ..the wonders which ,translated are put to paper and loved into the expression of where one wishes to be...most excellent... Laury

[NeiL ArandA]

Sometimes and often times great poet pieces are very hard to understand . Its like they are speaking in a different level, using unknown or ancient language never heard before.They seems to speak , communicate and convey their thoughts in much much higher plane than average regular poet does ( myself included ) . It's for us regular poet ( myself included ) to decipher, unlock and understand these symbolic language and speech before we can consider ourselves worthy of such title . For now I consider myself just an apprentice and not a poet yet .

I can relate to your plight Javier. Ms Sarah your pieces are all awe inspiring ! I still have to decipher all its meaning just like a little child figures out a jig saw puzzle

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

You are too kind...you humble me!

[Fernando Dardón]

I'm sorry if it is pretty hard to me to understand in a complete sense your poems :D but this one is great!! Our soul is always looking to go further, but never leaving it's escence, where it came from: home.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Javier!

[Nick.B]

Sometimes we tend to think back home, where all was started and nothing was lost but ourselves....great poem

[TL Boehm]

I hunt for deeper oceans, as fingertips walking a globe
yes, there it is. that thing that permeates your poetry the way honeysuckle permeates a southern summer afternoon. That depth. So many of us simply don't have it. There is restlessness, rebelliousness and that's common but this poem speaks of something more. Yes. If I believed in such things I would say you were an old soul.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

I think I have been an "old soul" since I was born. Having grown up an only child, entertaining myself with the adults and never being excluded, I think I became aware of the world a little earlier than most. But innately, I think my being is lodged somewhere in the 18th century or something...haha

[Horizon K.]

We need to wander, to explore the worlds both outside and within to know, appreciate, our true home... stasis vs. freedom... these are concepts I relate to completely... aching to be unburdened, to find that freedom in wandering, yet the stasis to know when the perfect blue hills have been found... Such a lovely piece Sarah.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, my friend!

[Souladareatease]

it needs time to breathe. ---do this...and be conscious of it--(that's a hard one but it can be done)then take Your walk-Cahir Castle will keep till Your worldly jaunt :) Wonderful to take to travels-This made me feel like running though indeed :D
travel is a must for me...I know it if I sit too long....even if it's only an hour away ---I must Jet periodically--My two favourite reasons--scenery-and locale foods-and then when You come back...home is a sigh of relief and a smile -a safe harbor
hehehe rambling----I do so Love the Longing within this Write--Exquisite Pen!!!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

You really got this one, my friend...I'm always happy when I am out exploring, but I am equally as happy when I walk back through "home's door" and sit down in comfort. Thank you so very much!

[Jack...]

My friend, I know this feeling intimately and take it from one who allowed his soles to become worn, the desire never really disappears, regardless of present state. Originally from N.J., a friend's old chevy van took me to Florida and dropped me off where I explored for a time, then a Trailways bus led me to San Antonio, a beautiful place. Another wild hair found me setting up camp in Ohio in the middle of the winter, not one of my wisest moves...and since I have found my way back to Texas...still the urge to roam lives within me. I loved the feel of your poem today, it (obviously) brought back memories. :)

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, Jack! I'm glad you could relate to this one...you know, I think that many writers feel the need to "roam" in some way; perhaps it is a subconcious effort to broaden our horizons in an effort to have more to write about...? Hmmm...

[SteveB]

BRAVA!

I think you need to be of a certain age to truly appreciate the spirit of this piece. The wording and the music can be appreciated by anyone with a soul but the spirit takes a certain age.
Almost daily when I drive home from work I see the sign "Montreal 318" and think that with a few cups of coffee and two stops for gas......
Thank you for this beutiful piece.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Steve...I'm humbled, truly!