My year’s highlight and most significant achievement was my first time participating in National Poetry Writing Month in April. What a fantastic creative outlet that was. God willing, I intend to do it again next year.
And so to recap, and to express my gratitude to this art form I never knew was missing from my ordinary life, I wish to end the year by reposting a couple of my fave poems every Wednesday from now until the end of this blogging year. I hope you enjoy them.
awake seeing being wanderlust in your eyes options come in chapters never before or late choose one leave the other... belongs to someone else walk your path not taken reality that's sage go forth seeking being shake off the daze, the dream you can't be there 'n here no one e'er could-- come to choose well mortal being the matrix lies with you stay lucid 'till the end should-haves exist no more *** Copyright © 2021 selmamartin.com
Like everyone who knows Robert Frost’s poems, I’m a fan. I couldn’t agree more with the words written on the NaPoWriMo blog that says, “there’s no gem quite so hoary as Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken.’ ”
And adds, “Today, I’d like to challenge you to write a poem about your own road not taken – about a choice of yours that has “made all the difference,” and what might have happened had you made a different choice.”
But the way the poem speaks to me in the winter of my life is different from when I was green behind the ears. Presently, I believe that we all follow the path that’s meant for us. All our values play a significant role; all our stumbling blocks do as well. Therefore, it’s empowering to cultivate good habits and nourish values that align with who we are.
This is not to say that all my choices led me to green pastures– they didn’t. But I’ve come to change my attitude about how those played out and see them as ordinary rewards in disguise.
And so, of this part of Frost’s poem,
I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
I can attest that — as I’m telling you this with a sigh, decades and decades since I first read the poem– I am blessed with having taken a leap of faith and followed my heart from the Caribbean to Asia. That one choice placed on my path ages ago has made all the difference in where I am in my life right now.
I do not ponder what might have happened– I know what’s happening with my evolving choice, and that’s enough for me. And that, my young friends, is the beauty that comes with getting older. Not a brag, a slice of wisdom.
The syllabic poem I present to you today is a series of Badger Hexastich poems. This syllabic poetry is unrhymed and written in six lines with a 2/4/6/6/4/2 structure. Mine consists of twenty-four lines– a continuation of four poems that hint at Frost’s poem.
Thanks for reading and commenting. I wish you a stress-free month of November, full of thanks and giving, and as always, I wish you miracles.
Photo: Image by Dr StClaire from Pixabay
- Day 25: NaPoWriMo 2024–The “Proust Questionnaire” - April 25, 2024
- I’m Practicing: A Positive Double Whammy - April 24, 2024
- Day 24: NaPoWriMo 2024–A “Barrowed” Line - April 24, 2024
Many people go through life with tunnel vision. This is a good reminder to live with eyes wide open.
True. We’re like that by default. One toggle on perception and we can change that. Methinkso.
Life is too short for tunnel vision.
I appreciate you, Ken. Grateful you dropped by.
Happy writing. (I’m still sitting in silence with you). Also, I wish you miracles
Thank you for your thoughts, Selma.
When I reflect on when ‘green’ left and became ‘mature’ I think that the line sometimes shifts.
When faced with negative influences it is often thought of as peril to leave the predicted path.
Like you I have made choices, for myself that others may not have agreed with – and I would not change where I have ended up.
I have not participated in National Poetry month only because I more than less have written poetry or flash fiction every day of my life for over fifty years. I enjoy blogging because some of the prompts take me in directions I might have missed. May we celebrate the broad view of acceptance as we live in the present – and may we all continue to be blessed.
Well said, Selma. stay lucid till the end. I enjoyed your poem and learned this new syllabic pattern.👍🏻
This syllabic form is fun to write. I’m drawn to it often. But there are so many and too little time for all. 😆
Glad you agree about staying lucid. Be well, Jane. Thanks for the support.
I’m always with you. You too be well and safe, Selma 🤗
“you can’t be there ‘n here” jumped out at me. So many choices and time is zooming along. What I’m getting from this is to embrace the choices I’m making based on my truest values. Thank you for this!
Ah, pleased you read. Thanks so much. Glad you liked. xoxo
You are very welcome! XoXo