The Compass.

I’m headed south,

To sit on a mountain

Where I made my home once.

I will sit on that mountain,

In the arms of a man

Who doesn’t love me - yet.

In the arms of a man

Who I gave my love once,

But who never returned it - yet.

 

I’m headed east,

To the isles of green

Where my family knew famine once.

The Earth knew their name,

And I too, shall become part of that place.

I will lay in a field,

Every day for a year,

I’ll walk with the giant

And feel wind in my hair.

 

I’m headed north,

To a land undiscovered,

Where my ashes were scattered once.

I’ll look around at the snow,

And cry frozen tears

Until they burn into my face.

My eyes will flame blue

And melt all the ice

Until fears float with the sea.

 

I’m headed west,

To a world unimagined

Where my manifest met destiny once.

The sand beneath me

Will reach out to the waves,

And my soul will finally escape.

I’ll run like the wild,

Since finding yourself

Is finding the path at your feet.

Reviews

[Emily Rose]

Ah, this is beautiful. I like how each place that you go you have far different experiences and then proceed as if that direction had been you're whole life. What a great metaphor! My favorite stanza is the second one, going east - brilliant connection with nature there. The ending wraps it all up very well, too. I like how the first stanza and the unrequited love is rather underplayed - ususally something like that would end up dominating the poem. I like how it doesn't in this one - it's just an image, a thought in this collage of many choices.

Also, I don't know if this is what you were going for, but in the verse where you head west, I like the use of "manifest" and "destiny" in such close proximity to each other. "Manifest destiny." Teehee! Very clever.

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What a wonderful way with the 4 directions. A beautiful understanding!

[T]

Outstanding write, Lydia! Absolutely loved it ... hugs

[Larissa G.]

Simply beautiful. I love the way the entire poem flows, and I love the beauty it portrays. My suggestion? Add some details that aren't sight - add some touch or smell in the future, I have found those to be very depth-giving. :)