The Wanderer

Carving your own path is terrifying, but the other option is worse.

He left his home at the turn of an age,

His family shed no tears, his soul empty of rage,

Chased away, rather then left by design,

Alone he would march, followed by the moon's lonesome shine,

At first he felt heavy, and then his steps grew light, 

Nothing lasts forever, not even the loneliest of nights,

All that he loved, all that he knew, 

The place he was born, the place where he grew,

But some things were just, not bad nor were they good,

They were the way that they were, just as they should,

One could not argue with the traditions of the past,

And to leave his home alone, he would not be the last.

Stars showed him the way, crickets sang to ease his pain,

There was no time to mourn, there was so much to gain,

Look behind he did not, 

For he knew it to be for the best,

This was not some cliche, nor was it some test,

A new home awaiting to be found, eventually he would,

It might demand a fight, but he knew that he could,

For when you grow old, home lessens in size,

it is then you must leave, it is then you must rise.

His mane was yet thin, and his neck did not hide,

But he would carry on, one day he will make his own pride.

His eyes remained calm, though his heart was boiling inside,

What if there was no hope for him? What if everyone lied?

A shake of his head, a thrust of his paw, a grin on his maw, a tail in his tow,

This lion will search the world for his path,

And the world will embrace the lion tightly, close to his heart. 

Author's Note

I usually write stories that are not directly about me, or my feelings,
But someone told me it's good for your soul.
I'm leaving home, not today, not tomorrow.
But I'm leaving for a long time.

Moving to Australia, for quite some time.
I guess I just wanted to share how I feel.

Reviews

[Stan Lee]

I love how you write LM. I love your prose and and I love your poetry. The mixed emotions came through really strongly and I feel actually very excited for you. What an adventure! I love these lines:
But some things were just, not bad nor were they good,
They were the way that they were, just as they should,
Very emotive writing LM. Your rhyming style is spot on the way you use the language to show us a story and make us feel the emotions makes it so much better! Brilliant! :)

[LastMonth]

Thank you for the review Adronicus. It's appreciated,
I'm glad you liked that line, I was very happy with it as well.

[Nisreen]

A great deal of strength you bring to the picture here

i guess we all grow up
and leave home
and family

to become whatever we are meant to be

its hard but is important

[LastMonth]

Thank you. I agree.

[Ananya]

I like the way you have woven this story. Emotive and expressive.

[LastMonth]

Thank you!

[Pash]

One word,
"spectacular"
This poem took a walk with me to a land of creative imagination. I love it

[LastMonth]

I'm happy that you enjoyed it.

[Jo R.]

The back and forth called up many times of relocation...the push-pull of it; the thrill and trepidation. I liked this especially:
At first he felt heavy, and then his steps grew light,
Nothing lasts forever, not even the loneliest of nights,
All that he loved, all that he knew,
The place he was born, the place where he grew

This put me right in the ambivalence. Well done!

All the best on your adventure in Australia!

Thank you!

[LastMonth]

Hahaha, Thank you for the wishes.
I rarely write about 'Me', not so openly. I'm glad people took to this well, it is different then what I usually post here.

[Papaya]

I think you wrote this very well and with feeling. Very moving and I wish you the best on your journey.

[LastMonth]

Thank you very much.

[Lyn Anderson]

Well written, and wonderfully rhymed. The third and last stanzas are especially powerful to me.

[LastMonth]

Thank you.

[Davidgeo]

At least you're not a filthy creationist.... I like your lion picture. The poem goes quite nice with it.

[LastMonth]

Thanks for stopping by my friend. And leaving a review. While I am indeed no creationist, I do have to wonder what brought this on?

[Davidgeo]

I'm not sure. I was just watching a video about Batman fantasy camp, also the cartoon Space Ghost... coast 2 coast. it all makes sense I'm sure I'm not very certain.

[An owl on the moon]

Ah, I read your author's note first, and caught early glimpses into the soul of your poem. How powerful the vision of rising, journeying into the wildlands, seeking a home even in the place so far from your homeland. It has become a theme for me, this notion of seeking, of reaching for the soul's home, so I could relate so well. May your adventure give you such strength, such hope, such boundless freedom.

[LastMonth]

Your regards are more then welcome, and definetly appreciated.
Thank you, friend.

[Shannon]

First, congratulations on the upcoming move, although there are clearly some mixed feelings, it still seems to be an overall positive thing.
I really enjoy start to play with or break down the structure a bit, heading in a new direction.
This is a fresh take on coming of age, stretching wings, without the clichés.

I would encourage you to consider one less "would" in this line:
"A home he would find, eventually he would"

Maybe something like: a home was his to find, eventually he would.

[LastMonth]

Didn't even notice that one.
I'm about to alter it right now, Thank you for the review and pointing it out!

[Shannon]

No problem. We can become word blind to our own work, I think!