Along the Way

Here's a link to my you tube channel where I read my poetry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbj9bj58Txw

All the hard
times prepared me
for this.
The hopeless
times, black sun
sadness.
The long seasons of
madness.
Starving, like a
winter tomcat.

The hospital stays.
Jails and psych wards.
The fist fights under
Bridges.
Midnight swims, drunk in
the Iowa River,
not drowned, only out
of spite.
All of this, and
much more got
me ready for this.

I’m sitting up in bed.
It’s 5:00 AM.
My three cats chase
each other, like
lovers in spring.
I’ve been sober
for almost two years.
I even quit smoking
cigarettes.
I’m writing regularly,
and publishing much
of it.
It’s mostly well received
Worldwide.
I’m sipping a hot cup
of coffee.
It’s from Sumatra and has
notes of herbs and earth.

I look at the pictures of
Van Gogh and
Hemingway above my
antique maple desk,
as I listen to Mozart.
A writer needs four walls.
I have so much more,
children
wisdom
cats
and gratitude, the most
important thing I
found.

Author's Note

My book, Seedy Town Blues Collected Poems is available on Amazon.com

Reviews

[Thomas W Case]

So very true. Thank you, my friend.

[Re-Pete]

there's gold in the journey and silver in the destination.

"How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live. The question is not what you look at, but what you see. The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite – only a sense of existence.” - Thoreau

[Pryde Foltz]

Wonderful slice of literary life. It is indeed the domesticity and the cats that can offer some of the most amazing inspiration:)

[Thomas W Case]

So very true. Thank you.

[John the Baptist]

A very moving offering here. Many, given such rough beginnings, might not have made it to the situation described at the poem's end. The last lines give a nod to one of the most important of truths, one many forget. Well done.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, John. I appreciate it.

[red93]

Fabulous Thomas, and quite something to have reached this place of safety and sanity in yr life. The Writing reflects this. Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[Neville]

A little bit of good honest self disclosure can go a very long way .. Congratulations Thomas I have no doubt it wasn't easy, but am sure you will go far .. Neville

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, brother. I appreciate it.