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...

[Stanley Wilson]

powerful writing crafted very well flowed really good, great story within enjoyed this work thanks for sharing

[Renée]

Thank you for taking us with you on this journey ! Sea to desert to forest ! I read it out loud..You make it sound so grand Sam..I love the ending !

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Renee, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Marie]

And you found a special beauty everywhere you went.

[J. J. Nightingale]

Seems it all comes back to nature .. The green & the serene lend comfort in the time of sleep .. I always told my husband, if I am dying, take me out in the rain, and lay me down on green .. .. It is all about peace & the gifts of God .. ..
This is a wonder-full write Sam .. And I agree with your choice ..

Jazz ..

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Jazz.

[J. J. Nightingale]

You are most welcome .. :)

[SamanthaMarie]

This masterpiece is just, well, a masterpiece! There was never a misplaced word nor a disturbance in the beautiful flow you have created here. Poems are nice, some better than others, but yours was on a whole different level. I loved it so much I read it over and over. Just amazing!

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you very much. I'm honored and pleased.

[Brandon S. Whitten]

Feels good to have peace of mind, reflect on what has brought us to that point and just let go. Excellent read and write.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you, Brandon. You're exactly right.

[patricia]

Leave me long to tarry here until my final day...favourite line.
loved it. thanks Sam.

[Cathy Wattam]

I read this as the title caught my eye and I must say it did not disappoint at all. Such great imagery and sounds like a great place to sleep cares away. I love prose poetry and those sentences which express to others what you saw, heard and experienced take me in and make me want to experience it too. Really enjoyed this.

[Sunni Davis]

You were right, Sam. I do love this, the last stanza especially. It speaks to me. Every year before my birthday, I take a few weeks to trace my steps in the previous year, much like you've done here. It gives me a chance to re-evaluate my direction.

[Tommy]

A lovely piece of prose, I would love to follow in your footprints taking a trip within those silver wings. Sam this is beautiful! What a glimpse into the world as you have seen it. Thanks for showing us!

Great Writing!
RLG,
Tommy