Behind the wheel
But am I driving?
Or is this road deciding
When and where I’ll be arriving?
The posted signs,
Reflecting a flow of lights
On either side:
Red or white,
Depending on destination;
in front or behind?
Rearview shows
Not where we go
Neither where we’ve been
For how are we to really know
Where we are at any given time
On this endless road?
Exits pass
No turning back
Not that I’d try,
I find peace here
Along for the ride
But in the driver’s seat
Not the passenger side.
The stereo plays
Notes and verses from another day
A different time
When you were still mine
Now they speak new words, as if to say
“This will be just fine.”
Breathing slows
As darkness grows
Fading sun
As streetlights glow
The stars outshined
Only for a time:
City lights behind,
Tightening my grip
I open wide.
I wonder how do poets write poem. This will be so difficult for me. Well written 👌
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That is a good question, and one that no poet could probably answer sincerely. There are skills and habits to be built, through lots of practice and effort, but honestly, the poems tend to write themselves – those who write them function as instruments more so than anything. For example, most of my writing comes from either a word or phrase that sticks in my mind and then slowly grows into a poem, like a seek in fertile soil. And this doesn’t always/often happen when I want it to (almost never when I sit down with the time and intention to write!), in fact, it often happens at very inconvenient times, like when I am biking or driving or in the middle of a conversation/meeting. I have to pull over to the side or politely leave the conversation to record my idea, then come back to it later and finish.
So, to summarize: Practice is important. Also, follow your instincts and let the writing just happen. Don’t force it. Let it grow.
Also, thank you for the compliment. 🙂
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Ya I know what you mean about it coming at inconvenient time’s that happens to me a lot of the time.
BY FOR NOW
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I totally get it. The ideas always comes at the time when you’re busy doing something else. Great work. Keep it up 🙂
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Well, not always. The inspiration comes at almost any time, sometimes when free, but often when busy. Thank you as always for your comments. 🙂
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You’re welcome.
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For me it just comes from my soul, I let my emotions do the talking when it comes.
BY FOR NOW
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Emotions always brings out the best. 🙂
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When are you going to publish your poems. And when you do i want a signed copy.
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I take this as a high honor and compliment. I don’t currently have any plans to publish, but if/when I do, I promise you will be the first to know and the first to receive a copy.
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I hope and wish that I am the first to receive a copy of your book.
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Nice my friend. 😉
BY FOR NOW
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The poem is like a river that flows which is why it is good to have a metaphorical cup with us at any moment to catcht those images and words thar rise up from within, sometimes they escape and flow back into the slipstream 🙂
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Very well said. I’ve lost many a good poem to that slipstream with moments spent focused on getting here or there with no time between…
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I try to keep a pad a pen close by but I lose a lot of first lines like that but yes when we are on the move we cant always catch that liminal thread.
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Such a lovely one on travelling and having layers of meanings to it.
What you have written about writing poems is spot on.
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Thank you, I really appreciate that. I am glad that my words resonate with you.
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You are most welcome.
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In the driver’s seat
of a brilliant writer.
No going in reverse,
for your verse,
gave me white line fever.
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Fellow travelers pass by
This road, day and night
Seldom a good look in their eyes
But you, I see inside:
A good friend, an ally.
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