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The Journey

For Gabriel Huizenga’s "Lost-ish Unofficial Poetry Challenge"

By Cindy CalderPublished about a year ago Updated about a year ago 1 min read

I feel misplaced,

Drifting and a bit lost

In this world of mine;

My life is

An evolving conundrum,

Ever disjointed and wistful.

While my body lingers,

Teetering on the edge,

My soul seeks

Days long past,

A time told

In treasured, gilded pages

Of books of old.

*

On this journey,

I search

In a perpetual kind of way,

Spinning and gravitating

To a nonstop melody

In the hidden realms

Of my mind.

I awake to find

(Or do I dream?):

I'm strolling on

Purple, heather strewn moors;

Wandering candlelit halls of

Murky Scottish castles;

Frightened in darkened alley ways;

Exploring an unending allure of

Spectacular supernatural tales;

Constantly perusing painted stories

Composed of only words;

In a courtly Renaissance dance,

Found wondrously immortalized

in Elizabethan plays;

And artfully in pursuit of poetry's

Emblazonment

Across my soul.

*

This night,

I sit alone,

Encumbered by the weight

Of such misplacement.

I wander and I write,

And in the daunting face

Of such tasks,

I long for inspiration

From so many:

Milton and the Bard,

The sisters Brontë,

Keats and Bryon,

Mary Shelley,

F. Scott Fitzgerald,

and Virginia Woolf's

Melancholic prose.

Beneath the guidance

Found only in the moon,

A dream finds wings:

May such masters seize

My wandering soul -

Conduct my pen.

Dare

I dream

Another:

For a faint and haunting echo of

Those glorious geniuses

Who fill my days?

*

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines! Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover!” Mark Twain

*

For Gabriel Huizenga's "Lost-ish Unofficial Poetry Challenge", see link below:

artFree Verseperformance poetry

About the Creator

Cindy Calder

From Charleston SC - "I am still learning." Michelangelo

Reader insights

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  1. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  2. Expert insights and opinions

    Arguments were carefully researched and presented

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    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

  1. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

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    Writing reflected the title & theme

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Comments (28)

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  • Marilyn Glover12 months ago

    "Beneath the guidance Found only in the moon, A dream finds wings: May such masters seize My wandering soul " This part is so emotional for me. I've been struggling a lot lately and you've given my tears a much needed smile. Congratulations, Cindy, on your placement in Gabriel's challenge. And thank you for this gift.

  • Alyssa Musso12 months ago

    This is so relatable, Cindy. I love the important message at the end. Congrats on placing in Gabriel's challenge! 🎉

  • Katarzyna Popiel12 months ago

    Nice one! Congratulations on placing!

  • Cathy holmes12 months ago

    Congrats, Cindy.

  • Congratulations on placing in the challenge 🤩✅.

  • John Cox12 months ago

    Just back to say congratulations on placing in the challenge, Cindy! Richly deserved!

  • Gabriel Huizenga12 months ago

    This is magnificent, Cindy- can't believe I'm just getting around to reading it now! I love the literary focus of this piece, and the quiet, inspired, and wistful tone throughout - it is a triumph in capturing something lost-ish, and I absolutely love it. Thanks so much for joining in and sharing your wonderful work! :)

  • Shirley Belk12 months ago

    love this...how you got lost in the pages of greatness

  • Call Me Les12 months ago

    I felt connected to this and I love the sign off quote. Well done!

  • JBaz12 months ago

    This has the feel of a lost soul, of old. Reaching out to relive a life not yet fully fulfilled, or who loved it so much wishes for more. I may be wrong but this is how I felt

  • KA Stefana about a year ago

    Nicely done!

  • Poppy about a year ago

    You're so talented! I especially loved this part: 'My life is An evolving conundrum'

  • John Coxabout a year ago

    This is stunning, Cindy! I love that in the midst of the lostness that you reach for the stars! Exceptional challenge entry!

  • Paul Stewartabout a year ago

    so beautiful and eloquent in its melancholia! love love it! so rich in imagery and the references to literary greats gave this all greater weght! deftly done, Cindy!

  • D.K. Shepardabout a year ago

    Wonderful work, Cindy! This had such a melancholic meandering feel to it! Great entry for Gabriel's challenge!

  • Jay Kantorabout a year ago

    Cc - Ah, Life as an "Evolving Conundrum" - The 'Masters couldn't have said it better. Jj.in.l.a.

  • C. Rommial Butlerabout a year ago

    A well-wrought ode to masters past and hope in the dreamlike present!

  • A whimsical tale/poem🤗.

  • Cathy holmesabout a year ago

    Goodness, that was beautiful. It was so descriptive, I felt loke I was roaming with you. Well done.

  • Komalabout a year ago

    What a beautifully woven tapestry of yearning and inspiration! The imagery of wandering moors, candlelit halls, and literary ghosts conjures a poetic odyssey that’s both wistful and grand. Your ode to the masters and their timeless guidance feels like a love letter to creativity itself—absolutely mesmerizing!✨🤍

  • This was soooo hauntingly beautiful! Loved your take on this challenge!

  • verse voyagerabout a year ago

    This piece really captures that feeling of being lost but also searching for inspiration. I love how it blends past and present, mixing personal reflection with a nod to literary giants. That Mark Twain quote at the end is a nice touch—it’s all about embracing the journey and not letting fear hold you back!

  • Rachel Deemingabout a year ago

    Fabulous. I was drifting along with you, thinking about those fictional worlds.

  • Lamar Wigginsabout a year ago

    So many interesting aspects to this trail of words that ends with a profound quote. Excellent entry, Cindy!

  • Kodahabout a year ago

    "I feel misplaced" What a great starting line! Incredible entry, Cindy! 💓🌟

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