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

[Astro]

Most definitely a great way to put it. That 'it's never too late mentality' that will feed your soul but never capture it like the California sands, and sage, nor the familiar feeling of being greeted by the morning and having tea with the aroma of foreign lands but the warmth of home. 'Ivory trees' like birch shedding anxiety and depression, like compulsive hands carrying shears then letting them fall to the earth as they are no longer needed. Again, we fans are treated with your solid ability to describe life in a myriad of delightful ways. Bravo.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, my friend...this was a bit of a tough write, but I'm glad you saw something in it. I like how you describe the trees...birches shedding their skin...I shall have to remember that image for later :)

[Astro]

Just me flowing onto the page, if you like it....it's yours, a gift of inspiration found in your own work.

[B-poet]

An interesting & vivid journey you've displayed here. I liked how you've illustrated the inner yearning's of someone who's dying to get on the road towards becoming apart of something that's greater than themselves. Great work Girl Friday. A riveting write & read. My favorite writing partner. :)

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, my friend!

[Kelly Scheppers]

I felt a comfort of home resonate through this, Sarah. Time and time again I am in awe by the thoughts you conjure into poetry!

My best,
Kelly

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, Kelly!

[Clockwork]

I like the hunger for the road that you bring to us with this poem. The image of fingerprint hunting was a good one. Also, I liked the search for "might-have-been." For me, that line in particular conjures the patron saint of lost causes; she searches for the possibility in the world, the things that others give up on before taking the road away from home.

These lines were my favorite from this piece: "A backpack and a road map -- perhaps -- a way out --/
the courage to see beyond these walls." I like that idea because it displays a willingness to break habitual action, and actually experience the world.

The idea of that anchoring place, the closest thing to home, is a great way to end this one. Well done here, Sarah.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Christian. I'm glad you enjoyed this one :)

[Pryde Foltz]

It is only from elsewhere that you get a clear view of where you've been. You capture the travellers dilemma beautifully--wanderlust and love of home. Great piece.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Pryde :)

[gabrielle]

Staying on one's comfort zone could be uninteresting and lifeless sometimes. There's a need to get out from it to fully experience life by either taking the road less traveled or to taking huge risk by starting a path for others to follow. A very inspirational write.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, my friend :)