Searching for Ithaca

Tread this one carefully-it's me that you are reading.

"There is an Ithaca somewhere out there for you", they say

but

What if there isn't? 

What if all Ithacas have been claimed by so many others

like you and me

What if my Ithaca never existed

-physically-

but only as a hideous delusion

that was clinging to my neurons

since the first day I sighed into this world?

What if my purpose is to wander in all the claimed Ithacas

and appreciate their infinite beauty -from a distance. 

What if I was born to observe, examine, analyze,

praise and appreciate, thinking that I 

-ever so slightly-

have found my own Ithaca, that this time

I have found my place, where I will be close to,

only to realize

that it was already claimed.

Only to see my fingers curl back again

from my outstretched arm,

and my eyebrows raise

in a sign of maleficent wonder and surprise.

I will take what was given to me:

a curse and a blessing at the same time.

For I can see as many Ithacas as I wish to,

I can taste their waters and eat their fruit.

I can see their beauty and feel their palpable existence,

while others are anchored in their own. Forever.

All Ithacas are mine, but I do not belong in any of them.

Author's Note

Please be honest yet polite :)

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I liked the below lines.
"a curse and a blessing at the same time.
For I can see as many Ithacas as I wish to,
I can taste their waters and eat their fruit.
I can see their beauty and feel their palpable existence,
while others are anchored in their own. Forever."
Good to control thoughts and places. We must know self-peace. Thank you Marina for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Marina]

Thank you for your comment, I appreciate it :)

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome Marina.

[YanZeros]

Everything in this world is borrowed. Most of us were/are striving hard to get a better experience in life. Some are just contented being by themselves without exerting much effort. We can claim and say this is ours but in the end. We'll just become part of a living organism breathing underneath the ground where all of us will belong. This line touches my very core! "All Ithacas are mine, but I do not belong in any of them." Thanks Marina :D

[Paul Bell]

The search for Ithacas.
My own personal Ithaca.
It's like that pot of gold at the earth's edge. The search may last forever, may never be found.
But in reality, everyone followed you.

[Marina]

Thank you Paul.

[WittyWonka]

The power of imagination captured in true reflection. What if we all are characters in a dream in someone's Ithaca? I really like this!

[Marina]

This is such a lovely thought to think over and over! :D
Thank you Witty Wonka :)

[WittyWonka]

I think so, too :) You are welcome, Marina :D

[Nwang]

The many Ithicas you see is your Ithica itself.
Anyway loved your poem. Nice write.

[Marina]

I hadn't thought about this way. Thank you so much for possibly solving a big enigma! :)

[Nwang]

you are most welcome @Marina ^_^

[brian]

Very ethereal..I hope you find your ithaca. (=

[Marina]

Thank you Brian :)

[Athul Muttissery]

Inciteful..
The journey of the average human to find perfection in life is what these words brought into my mind...
would lovee to c more such from you.

[Marina]

Yes, everyone is searching for their own notion of perfection (or Ithaca). Thank you :)

[Gee]

My wife visited Ithaca on a recent visit to Kefalonia, she tells me it is absolutely stunning. Enjoyed the read, will visit one day, hopefully

[Marina]

It's a perfect irony that I have never been there myself! haha
such is life, I guess. I hope you (we) make it there one day!

[Gee]

Me too........