The Child Sails Out to Sea

Growning up

A fireball on horizons dies
The child sails himself out to sea

 

Upon a rocky shore
A man is left standing

 

Staring off across a bay 

Of boyhood dreams

 

Kept within, is the innocence
The reaching out and waving

 

But, turns instead 

To face the years

And embrace his new responsibilities

Reviews

[Rita L. Sev]

There is a series of painting by artist Thomas Cole called "Voyage of Life" - we have copies in our living room - they take a man through his existence, imagining that life is a sea voyage. He is never alone in his boat, though... I read your poem, and these paintings came to mind...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voyage_of_Life

[Michael G. Smith]

I'm checking them out as I write. Very beautiful paintings.

[Frieda P]

Peter Pan comes to mind, 'I don't wanna grow up, It would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree' ...if we can only keep that childlike wonderment alive whilst still being able to take care of our responsibilities, wouldn't life be grand?

[s y e]

I guess we have it easy when we are younger..... I don't wanna grow up. Frieda is making me a potion so I can stay a little gal forever, lol.

Great write, very relatable.

[Michael G. Smith]

Me too? My mind is still sixteen years old, but my body keeps aging!!

[s y e]

I'll give you some. ;-)

[shallimarRose]

Ahhhm, yes those much simpler days. Don't we all wish we could board that boat.. at least for a little while. Great poem Michael.. xo

[Michael G. Smith]

I wrote this about other men who can't enjoy life as much as I do.

[shallimarRose]

ok the responsibilities threw me lol.. I love to read you Michael.. xo Rose

[Michael G. Smith]

No, everyone has their own interpretations. I just see a lot guys I know can't have good fun sometimes because they are afraid of being embarrassed. Watch a video my wife made of me. She gave me an Easter like I had as a kid. On YouTube it's called Over the hill and down the bunny trail.

[Pryde Foltz]

Great coming of age piece. A whole new ocean voyage awaits.

[Michael G. Smith]

Thanks Pryde.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

This has a wonderful sentimental touch, with deep insights ingrained. I love the simplicity of the words used. Good write, Mike.

[Michael G. Smith]

You noticed that. I thought the simplicity would reflect the innocence of childhood.

[Azure Montessa (Blue)]

And you achieved so. ;)

[Avinash]

All these individuals who appear different in different lines are the same. And its a nice representation to view every part as a separate individual rather than separate units of time.

[Michael G. Smith]

Thanks Avinash.

[rutherford]

Concise and well crafted description of coming of age. Like Rita, I was inspired to think of another work--this one a line from Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio, "the silence of sophistication has come to the boy."

[Michael G. Smith]

This was more inspired by other men that I observe in life who seem to completely let go or hide the boy inside them. I find that I can never do this and outside my adult roles I behave like a young kid.

[SyberRose]

Nicely done...we all grow up and have responsibilities eventually...enjoyed M.G...Rose:)

[Michael G. Smith]

Thanks SyberRose