wine..cheese..and a perfect baguette…

the journey began
with empty pockets
but
along the way
through
studies
skills
were gained
and
through
pain
knowledge
skills
provided for
life’s necessities
pain
provided for
life’s lessons
lessons
of how to travel
the twisted path
of existence
a path travelled
with friends
and
lovers
for short distances
most of whom
found other places
to go
and
other dreams
to pursue
from time to time
youthful passions
like fog
obscured
the vision
making it possible
to be
twice robbed
along this road
of coins earned
as an indentured servant
but
the compass
of hope for tomorrow
gave direction
from moments
of chaos
and
the journey
continued
and
the empty
knapsack
was soon full again
not only
with coins
but
more importantly
with love
love
that makes
seeing the destination
less painful
for
it appears
the journey ends
in a dark void
with
empty
pockets

[/audio

natural textures…

on my morning walk
i find
celestial rubbings
of fallen leaves
made no doubt
by the shuffling feet
of reluctant
school children
reluctant
to admit
that their
classroom project
has been postponed
much
too long
to qualify for
one of
the
usual excuses
so
the journey
takes on
a somber tone
a death march
without
appropriate music
reaching
the gravesite
of future teacher approval
a sudden smile
though
it is raining
it is
also
saturday

zip-a-dee-doo-dah…

such
clever politicians
they got
everyone singing
a merry tune
one of those
whistle while you work songs
bluebirds landing
on everyone’s shoulder
as they traveled
down the road
toward prosperity
and peace
only to find
near the end
of their journey
a road closure sign

the bridge…

Photography by John Holmes (http://everchangingperspective.wordpress.com)

from where
i started
i’ve walked
a long time
to get to this point
i didn’t think
i would reach this place
for the waters were
dark and very deep
and
i couldn’t see the bottom
so i walked along the edge
and prayed that i could
navigate the thick underbrush
sometimes the embankment
was covered with twigs and leaves
concealing the pitfalls on the path
so i fell a couple of times
and had to pull myself up
and continue on with faith
every now and then
there were stepping-stones
or markers on the trail
but more often than not
the trail was unmarked
sometimes i would
come to a clearing
and i’d move along quickly
without hesitation
enjoying the journey i was on
but just as suddenly
the path would narrow
and I would have to wade
into the dark swirling waters
moving slowly
feeling the weight of life
after a while
the waters grew warm
and shallow
and i could see the bridge
a bridge
i must
cross over

on the edge…

Challenge Photo II from Jade

the gray morning
air presses hard
against me
holding back
the sounds
of my footsteps
that were so clear
and distinct
as i began
this journey
but now
all i can hear
are my labored breaths
in and out
and
my throbbing heart
a heart seeking
to escape
these city walls
to leave behind
this street
where laughter
and joy
have fled
where only
your memory resides
shrouded in betrayal
wearing a cross
of lies
to conceal
the truth
of who
and what
you are
and what
you’ve done

 

This poem represents my second response to  the second challenge series between Jade and I.  As you may recall, each poet provides the other with a series of photos, visual prompts,  from which the poet is to write a poem.  Jade has written her response which can be found here. 

illusion and/or ship of my childhood…

we
like all boys do
made from mud and bricks
a dam
to hold back the flood of tears
which fell as rain
from the eyes of angels
so that we might sail our ships
across this ordained
yet demonic sea
ships made from
now forgotten dreams
and small pieces of wood
with sails
of gum wrappers
and string
and when our ships were ready
we began our journey
to lands uncharted
within our minds

https://slpmartin.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/ships.mp3