When will I know

Yet, it is true, poetry is delicious; the best prose is that which is most full of poetry. Virginia Woolf Uh7.99

Do I have to choose between meandering rivers

or endless seas that I want to sail

do I want to tell about heavy storms

and huge rolling waves

where numerous strange creatures

make the voyage thrillingly exciting

 

or do I want to paint a reckless pursuit

in fast and rapid paces

or to ride with droning motors

driving on the edge of staggering ravines

to round the borders

to stretch the corners

with a thousands and thousands of words

 

or do I have to describe that flower

from his cane to the stamper

to taste the power of the pollen

translating it into a few sentences

how the sun and the bumble-bee

impregnate the buds with the blooming

 

to deepen a feeling

with a well chosen word

letter after letter and standing still

to admire and enjoying a colour

a sound or the taste of a kiss

to decipher it all on a single sheet

 

I travel beyond the borders to seek

for an answer

I’m listing in the dark and in the light

to the sound of my truth

trying again and again

to travel upon new roads

who will lead me on my voyage

 

it’s only I who can say it

it’s only I who must find it

while the track becomes colder and colder

the song in sounds

of wavering echo’s disappears  

 

when will I know

when will I know for sure

what song have I to sing?

 

© Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere

16/03/2015 

Reviews

[The Twin Arenas]

Really liked those lines about motors and ravines. "Motor" isn't a word I encounter enough in poetry, I don't think. It's a very ragged and powerful word. As usual, your writing has some sort of ingredient that, if it was lacking, would make this piece something I wouldn't have much of an appetite for. Maybe it's the fact that you're from Belgium. I spent some time there when I was 19, and the whole country seemed to be full of whatever ingredient it is I find in your work.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you very much, Waconda Springs. I'm glad I have the ingredient, as you call it. :) Rudi

[The Twin Arenas]

Hahaha. Maybe it's just me. Belgium, to me, is a very strange place. It was the most "Canadian" of all the countries I visited in Europe, and I have no idea what that means. Self-deprecating, very dry sense of humour, earthy like dirt. Beer. I've always felt connected to it.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

I'm very glad for you and happy you liked Belgium. :) Rudi

[B]

Your love of nature
Of life's moments
Its endearing

So gentle and calming this poem feels so good to my heart

It has an array of romance towards the word
And towards life

I love it

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Nisreenaa, these were my thought about poetry and prose, two sorts of writing that I'm in love with. To choose between them is terrible and these lines were my pondering about this question. :) Rudi

[Vishuddha]

Life is long - and time for many a song.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Wise, very wise. But why wait till tomorrow, what we can do today? Thanks. :) Rudi

[Confuser]

When will I know.....Wow Rudi....very well written as always...and the questions you ask give me so much insight, so many wonderful curious things to ponder...I love prose and the way you continue on this write of free verse..thoughts flowing. It's another side to you and I love the writing...it actually reminded me of the way V.W. writes short stories...Thank you...great work. Dale

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Dale. I was thinking about what is the most important to me, writing prose or writing poems. And starting with one sentence a whole river of emotions came loose. I don't know the answer yet, so I think I'll continue doing both of them. :) Rudi

[Confuser]

Very wise!! You're welcome, but thank you too!: Dale

[....................]

it’s only I who can say it
it’s only I who must find it

Indeed - no one else can find it for you; no one else can tell it like you do. A wonderful piece about writing poetry and life in general. You ask yourself a lot of questions here, Rudi, and it all culminates to those two lines I've mentioned: it's up to the writer!

A great write! - FT

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, FT for pointing that out. Glad you liked it. :) Rudi

[Coyote Poetry]

The questions of life.
"when will I know
when will I know for sure
what song have I to sing?"
Life is chance and luck. Good to hold hope and dream. Also good to be able to roll with the flow. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, John, for reading and reviewing. Have a good day. :) Rudi

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome.

[Delmar Cooper]

Well written from start to finish. A cogent poem, a poem with a stout message and a sweet sound, strange, beautifully homogenous mixture.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Delmar, for passing by and reading my poem. :) Rudi

[Jamestown]

This is really cool, enjoyed reading it!
The fact that you run the reader through all the options
cracks me up:) Thanks for sharing and b-blessed!

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, James, for reading and commenting. :) Rudi