The Horizon

Across the boundless distance lies a line,

Within the line of sight to just be clear

Enough to recognize the telltale sign

Of its existence- blissful, bright, benign-

Where earth and sky align then disappear.

 

However, should we make attempts to near

It, we bemused and dwindling in delight

Find that, regardless of the time of year;

Regardless of the routes on which we steer

Ourselves; regardless even of our might

 

And patience, at the furthest point of sight

This wondrous wonder would forever stay,

Amidst that mystic screen of solar light,

Its transcendental entranceway shut tight,

As though to keep we mortal souls at bay.

 

Thus are we drawn to wonder day by day

What wonder lies beyond this sight of bliss.

Perhaps life’s mysteries are on display,

Perhaps the once-upon-a-times we pay

A visit to whene’er we reminisce;

 

Perhaps we all along have thought amiss,

And Heaven’s gates were never in the sky

Amidst the stars, but are instead past this

Sublimity fixed in an endless kiss

With land and sky, among what treasures lie

 

Profoundly hidden from the naked eye.

And yet to merely gaze at it is fine,

For never need we wait until we die

To find eternity- we also by 

That moment’s gaze may find it in this line.

 

Though seen no longer at the day’s decline,

’Twill ever be a wonder most divine:

The ever mystical Horizon Line.

-EDP

Reviews

[Saoirse K.]

i like this

great use of the horizon to represent that infinity that lies before us
that hint of the eternal and limitless potential
to which we all in some way aspire
admittedly or otherwise

this is really well polished
well done

[emipoemi]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

We see; and yet, we are blind. I have moments of clarity but am human and all too often forget to count my blessings. Yes, I too, think there must be something better over the horizon. It's nearly always so. I was born on a Wednesday and often think of that "Wednesday's child is full of woe" line. I'm a pensive and reflective person, always psychoanalyzing everything. At work once, we had a retreat where everyone took a personality test. I was a "thinker." (no surprise) I'm also a Pisces and have always had that intuitive nature about me. I'm a poet. Lord help me! I always delve into the deep where sometimes the horizon can't be seen. I am in a deep well looking up to the light. The form of this poem is lovely and obviously took great care and attention and lends itself to the language which rolls like water from a fall, cascading into a pool of beauty at day's decline. Well done!

[emipoemi]

Lord help the poets indeed.....been writing 11 years and have still not gotten properly published. Just a self-made collection that I'm still striving to promote. I can only pray that the Horizon has something hidden for me. Not exactly the meaning behind this poem, but I'm glad to see that it sparked this philosophical monologue from you. Thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Esa Ray]

What a masterpiece! I love it's wisdom and depth. :) Was thinking once to write something about this beautiful creation of God. :) Keep writing!

[emipoemi]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[A.K. Rohner]

Interesting concept of what lies beyond this "Horizon Line". You made a good point in referencing heaven, theorizing that it may be behind that line, which piqued my interest even further. Good imagery, as well. I almost felt like a man at the end of his life, staring out into the horizon as you do. Maybe when people talk about going into the light they mean the horizon, where behind it some form of afterlife lies. Maybe that is how an otherwise omniscient being can watch so much at a time. Now look what you've done, sir, you've made me analyse. :) Good job on the poem!

[emipoemi]

It's what I intend to do with all my poems....make people think and analyze. Thanks for reading.

[Rebecca Leigh]

"However, should we make attempts to near

It, we bemused and dwindling in delight"...

When I read, i felt "it should be left in the line above instead of bright down in the next line.

[emipoemi]

Ah....good point, but now read it again, and take into account these two aspects: This is a Terza Rima-like poem (for I extended it the form to five lines instead of leaving it at three), written in iambic pentameter. However, it reads fluidly (so there are two rhythms: the scanned, and the spoken). Every stanza is essentially one thought....sometimes it extends to the next stanza....but the punctuation is essentially your guide on how to read the poem. This was a challenge way back as I was starting out to write a poem where I break syntax....so that's what this is doing: breaking syntax while maintaining my poetic values. Try reading it both ways, and you'll find that the scanned version doesn't sound as good, whereas the fluid version puts power in the right places by landing on the right beats. Follow the punctuation, abide by their rules, and if you still have the same notes after all this in mind (structured but free), then I'll take your notes into account.

[emipoemi]

I should also say that line breaks and stanza breaks add a lot more to the meaning of the words in the lines themselves, and this is a poem that exemplifies that concept....."....should we make attempts to near/It"....with that "it" not ending the previous line, it adds to the concept that the horizon is always far away..."it" (meaning the horizon) is not near "near" for it's always far..... the simplest things have the most profound of meanings.

[Rebecca Leigh]

I absolutely love this piece, though some things do seem a bit off... first its musicality is lovely and rolls off the tongue however maybe the punctuation can be moved so yourf thoughts don't pull down into the next line.... and also the line, "And yet, to merely gaze at it is fine could use revision... when I read your poem that is the part the reader gets hung up on... I do think it's interesting how you use old english... very unique... this piece is well executed and reminds me of a time of exploration.

[emipoemi]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Could you be a little clearer in your notes, for there are legitimate reasons for everything on the page, and without examples in lines and clearer hints as to how you're confused, I can't completely understand where you're coming from (I can assume, but such an assumption would merely say you haven't read this properly).