Grinning

ok so I am trying this free verse thang ...

rumour said 

there was a wise old man

living in the mountains 

beyond the clouds 

where wisdom 

is not for sale

his only possession 

a silver beard 

reaching his knees 

acting as a bridge 

from mind to heart 

thought to action

theory to practice 

encompassing all

he left his home

at an early age 

to journey

solitude as his best friend

people said he was more than

one hundred years old 

he had lived in the mountains forever

thriving on the raw air he breathed

building relationships with 

the birds, the mountain lions

the trees and the rocks

some even said they saw him converse with the sky

searching

i found him 

expecting many answers 

for my questions were many 

for many years I travelled

the arduous dirt passage 

to where he intermingled 

naturally with his earthen surrounds

high in the mountains 

beyond the clouds

whenever i visited 

he would make us 

his own special tea

which tasted much like 

the visions 

gifted before me

few words passed between us 

realising 

he held within him 

the entire universe 

causing him to grin 

every so often

i bathed in the knowledge 

he offered 

without words 

he taught me to 

live simply 

and simply live

only then would i understand

the universe has been 

within me all along 

as i had been with it

never entertaining a seperation

instead 

enveloping each other 

in love

every so often 

I find myself grinning now 

at the strangest of times

at the simplicity 

of it all

Author's Note

ok ok ok .... you know where I am at ... so your honesty is appreciated so I can learn and dance within the words a little longer :)

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Reviews

[Aries]

This is such a great piece. I love the adventure, and the last stanza really sends it home - the simplicity of it all. Sometimes we have to take a step back and appreciate everything and not overthink it.

[KWP]

ahhh thank you so much for the read ... I am happy you enjoyed ... yes ... not to overthink ... easier said than done :) xx

[Parimal Pratyush]

This is so so amazing. I was like floating into your vivid scenes, and with every word I read, it was all so masterfully structured, my mind showered new ways to look upon inspirations. Thank you for sharing such a work.

[KWP]

as always PP you are too kind ... thank you xx

[FateDictates]

I was totally absorbed and swept away on a journey your words created.. Great flow and instant visuals. Hate to say it think "grinning" is an interesting title yet not for this work, it's too intelligent and deserves another title.. no offence intended just a thought..

[KWP]

ha ! no offence taken ... i think i may have been grinning when I wrote it .... sometimes I think my words are simple and therefore I just run with it ... I am delighted you enjoyed it ... check out some others I think you will like a few :D love my friend xx

[FateDictates]

I get that same grin when an idea ignates....

[cycy]

I loved it, the words just simply draw you in verse after verse and you want to read the next line, well written indeed

[Damien Thibodeaux]

This write makes the reader stop for a moment and think. We must occasionally separate ourselves from the daily fight and let our minds go to that peaceful place and heal and soak up the wisdom of simplicity. Thanks for this moment of reflection. Great write.

[KWP]

hey Damien, why thank you for reading so very appreciated .. x

[Beccy]

It is so simple really, but we make it all so complex, and in doing so, lose much that is gifted freely by this lovely place we inhabit.

Much enjoyed.

Beccy.

[Lydia Shutter]

A beautiful tale....more of a short story than free verse poetry, but enchanting scenario. I liked this line very much, "a silver beard reaching his knees acting as a bridge from mind to heart" ! I liked the concept of the old man having no worldly possessions, but actually having more than most people do. A very good piece of creative writing. Lydi**

[Tom]

A tremendously uplifting piece of poetry, holistic and wholesome, materialistically the old man possessed nothing, yet he was rich in spirit,blessed with nature's kindred friendship, his was the universe and all within!

Splendid, creative writing, kudus indeed!

[KWP]

Hey Tom, thanks so much ... Read exactly as it was intended Phew!!!

Your words have started my Sunday perfectly x x

[Tom]

My pleasure!

[Brittany Zedalis]

╰☆╮You do free verse extremely well. I don't usually like longer poems, but this I definitely enjoyed. I could picture this old man in my mind, haha.╰☆╮

[KWP]

thank you sunshine x x