Footprints

Looking back to where I've been

I’ve sailed the world’s oceans and gazed upon faraway, liquid horizons. Soothed by gentle breezes or bruised by angry waves, I learned to love it there, upon the sea. 

Once beneath a blazing, desert sun, I saw ancient spirits dance on gaseous waves. Offering eternity, they spoke to my soul. When nightfall came, ten million twinkling stars swirled above in an ink-black sea of wonder.

Breathing air of arctic chill, I walked on pillow-soft tundra to Finger Bay, where salmon made their run. Way up in that northern clime, I found a certain beauty. Rugged, clean and cold, I might have called it home.

High above the sea and land, I’ve flown on silver wings. It’s easy to dream inside a cloud, and I longed to linger there. How easy it is, you see, to soar without a care, forgetting for a while, afflictions and despair.

Deep inside a forest, among the noble trees, I’ve sat upon a rock and pondered life’s mysteries. Of every place I’ve been, and every voice I’ve heard, and every sight I’ve seen, no other can compare to this one, most serene. Leave me long to tarry here until my final day, and then I’ll lie down ‘neath this oak and sleep my cares away.

Author's Note

Re-tracing some of my footprints.

Reviews

[Marie]

What absolutely amazing memories you have so finely detailed in this amazingly penned poem, Sam. Travel broadens our horizons and we learn so much. The visual detail is simply breathtaking in its beauty. Isn't it simply divine to find a beautiful tree to sit under and ponder the many mysteries of life and simultaneously being able to leave behind the problems of the human world for a while. A poem which gifts a beautiful aura of peace to the reader and I especially love the closing lines: "Leave me long to tarry here until my final day, and then I’ll lie down ‘neath this oak and sleep my cares away". SO beautiful! Thank you for sharing this captivating write, for sharing your treasure box of memories and for taking your reader to beautiful places through your words, Sam. Beautiful literary gem! Thank you again for sharing...

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. My travels are done, but the memories remain. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[Marie]

I both enjoyed it and loved it, Sam. My days of travel have come to an end also, thanks to Covid. Everything changed once it arrived, sadly. Thank you again for sharing, Sam...

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Sam, yours is an excellent poem written in somewhat of a prose form.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Sorry, review got away from me! Great poetic treatment of your life’s journey up until now. Exquisite imagery of wondrous places most of us only dream of. Balanced, eloquent, lyrical with organic flow and lovely rhyme...deserts and seas and poles and clouds all compete for your heart, but the forest primeval wins it. Mystical, refreshing, uplifting. Love this Sam!:))

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. Prose, a poem--I don't know. They're just thoughts that poured out.

[Autumn Lyric]

Ah Ha!! Discovered (one of your secrets) to great stories and poems...you, sir, are well-travelled and have immersed into different worlds and how awesome that freedom must be and certainly has been! your stories are adventurous and filled with wonder and whimsy. Thank you for sharing and for creating a great environment at WC, for diverse readers and writers to become familiar with you, your words and writing style, which is always a pleasure. :)

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you, LaShaye. I only began writing stories about ten years ago. Before that, I wrote a few poems. I'm not much of a poet, but do try to present a clear message.

[MelissaAndres]

This was nice, Sam. So serene. I loved all of it but my favorite part by far is when you say, 'It's easy to dream inside a cloud'. Nice!

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Melissa. I'm glad you liked it.

[MelissaAndres]

I do, Sam!

[BlackRose]

Superb piece. Such imagery coming off these well recollected words.

Walk among all the wear and tear. Through lifes heartache baring the soul reeped, maybe passed by sunny days, having frolicked in it's rays. In the end this life is one to savor...

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I don't consider myself any kind of poet, so am glad you liked it.

[BlackRose]

Never sell yourself short. We don't see it that way, but as more. :o) My pleasure, your very welcome.

[roarke]

Reads like a fine sonnet. I especially like the last paragraph. Well done Sam.

[Catlen]

This is a beautiful recollection of a life well spent. Lovely work, sir!

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I love traveling with you on your journeys through your stories and words. The vision is one of smiles and laughter where even the heartaches and tears are met with graceful acceptance and wistful understanding. You are a wise and lovely human being and I'm proud to have been included among your loyal readers through the years. A toast to you my friend and to the footprints of time as well as the imprint you've left on all our hearts and souls.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you, Fabian. I am glad to know you and your marvelous poetry over these years, also.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

all that walking...all those footprints showing where you have been...such a wonderful life..filled with adventure and beauty...

i like the end...that indication that, "hey, i'm going to take advantage of this life, there will be time to sleep when i'm dead."

such imagery in this...we journeyed with you.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Jacob. Yes, I try to make good use of my days.

[Sheila Kline]

And what wonderful, memorable footprints they are!!! Your descriptions make me feel as if I am there!!
Not much more to say Sam - you never, ever write anything that is not good!!

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Sheila. I do my best, but assure you, am not always successful.

[Angi]

This has such a peaceful flow and subtle rhyme to it, Sam. Very beautifully done, my friend. This one is going in my library. Angi~

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Angi. I used to be a traveling man.