north line metra

feeling fresh,

estranged

and pleasantly 

alone,

i think about

not getting off

at my stop. 

does it even matter

where i end up? 

the metra helps me

escape, 

but somehow 

evasion blurs

into the same

meaning

as taking me

home. 

Reviews

[Ohhhwillow]

As human beings we are both drawn to the unknown and afraid of it because we see life as a linear "journey", during which predictability can assure the future, and possibly drain the colour from it. What an adventure, to get off in an unknown place and spread your wings; what a panic when our pockets burn out. The words you isolate to lines of their own are to me significant -
"estranged", "alone", "escape", "meaning", "home".
Together they summarise flight, and the emotions drawn from such change.
You say so much in so little - very impressed!

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much for your thoughtful review! it's so interesting that a train that goes in a straight line can take us on so many jagged journeys...i always believe that one word lines must be earned in my work so i'm glad you noticed them :) thanks again!

[Tomahawk Joe]

You seemed to have captured the essence of your thought well. And wrapped it in a brief well stated poem.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Such a concise piece, but filled with so many little nuances that I can't begin to list them all. You possess a very skilled style; your pen writes with fluidity and emotional awareness. Great flow, fantastic imagery, concise/minimalist style, etc.

I have been where you are...the wondering what really matters in life and what part that I play in the whole of things.

does it even matter
where I end up? -- metaphorically, these lines enchant me.

I'm subscribing to your writing...fantastic.

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much! this means a lot to me :)

[kublakhan27]

It's a fine line between pleasantly alone and unpleasantly alone...I relate to this one for sure...great work :)

[Dana Alsamsam]

thanks for your kind words as always :)

[kublakhan27]

My pleasure Dana :)

[Astro]

That ending can be understood in so many ways Dana that for that alone, I feel this is a great and thought provoking piece. It can be read many times and have multiple meanings. "Nowhere to be? Well home can feel like nowhere to me."

[Dana Alsamsam]

exactly! and i've had this same thought many times with different meanings so i'm glad it provokes diverse thoughts each time it's read. thank you!

[Astro]

You are welcome

[Pete Langley]

I`ve often chewed this one over....we seem to use our conscious to drive our lives, no matter how impetuous we are.....have you ever watched a bird perched on a rooftop?....how does it make a decision which way next to fly?....and how far?...and if purely instinctive, what part of instinct does it use - hunger, thirst, sex, flight, fright? ....this piece has taken me past my stop, Dana! Well done, love! P..

[Dana Alsamsam]

thank you so much! i think even birds must have reason behind their decisions, and it is often to find their flock...maybe they're more similar to us than we think.

[Archangel Gabriel]

Many wise interpretations of this lovely piece are already posted and Jacob says what I would too.

[ChemicalMadness]

first, i have to say, i'm loving your embrace of free verse ;) No capitals!!!! I feel so much more at home...when there is nothing there for me to get hung up on, i can pay much closer attention to the content.....but enough about me.

I like how you have estranged trapped between fresh and pleasantly...what telling juxtaposition. You are home...away is home and away feels good and right....away feels like it could (and should) keep on going....i felt a sort of vibrant summer night feel here....very few people around you on the train not too warm...nothing stifling. The air - light, almost impossibly light and clean to breathe. anything could happen....

CM

[Dana Alsamsam]

yes, i'm trying it out! i realized i don't use capitals naturally when i type so why use them in my poetry either? thanks for pointing it out!

you really understood this well. thank you for reading and tapping into my words the way you have. i always appreciate your words :)

[B-poet]

A cleverly & witty written piece. I liked your emphatic touch althrough out this unique & fine write. Great work. A fine read. :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i think many of us would like to not get off at "our stop"

but, Dana..i think one thing this poem shows so well?

we often hate to get out of our comfort zone...we avoid risks...just take me home...

if only we were more adventurous...i think we would find so many new environments to enjoy..

and if we would just take the bus of our thoughts and actions to new stops, we would discover much.

[Dana Alsamsam]

i really like your take on this piece- so true. often times we don't even think about getting off somewhere else. we always do what we've planned, but there's so much out there. thank you for your review!