From the moment I noticed
( it was in a fourth grade geography book)
there was another landscape outside my own
small windowpane,
the plan was to throw on a pair of shoes
escape to the mountains,
to Canada,
to California ,
anywhere,
and everywhere;
just the thought of the going
sent me to a place in my head where
my breath mingled with holier shadows
than the ones I could see.
I lost the thread one day,
and the plan changed with a kiss,
a kiss that kept me rooted,
a gravity that pulled me toward bread-baking
and salting the earth
(with daughters)
the shoes still sit at the front door
burning me with desire
to wander the walking road –
just go.
I try to put on the hiking boots,
and discover they are nailed to the floor
by two small boys
playing with their grandfather’s tools.
Pepper holds me.
**
©2013 Wabi Sabi
For Sunday Whirl ‘ Wordle #120’
For Poets United ‘poetry pantry’
Oh! I love “holier shadows than the ones I could see.” This is filled with yearning, love and strong images. Your use of salt and pepper is brilliant.
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Boots nailed to the floor are not necessarily a bad thing, my friend. Over the years, I’ve lived in 12 of the 50 States, and I have to say that I sometimes envy people who are rooted in one place.
Whirling with Robert and Me
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ha. hopefully the nailed boots are just a metaphor…and family is def a good reason to stay…and two little boys for sure…i get the travel bug occassionally…it is good to stay though
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“From the moment I noticed ( it was in a fourth grade geography book) there was another landscape outside my own small windowpane, the plan was to throw on a pair of shoes escape”
I love this part of your poem so much. Fourth grade is when I started longing to “escape” as well.
The travel bugs have taken over my life to the point that I’m reluctant to buy anything that can’t be eaten. :-)) Alice
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So full of awesomeness! A kiss that kept you rooted, and your hiking boots being nailed to the floor by two small boys. It’s amazing what unexpected things can change a plan’s course.
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Oh yes. I SOOOOOOOOOOOOO know the feeling! Loved this poem!
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oh I love the sound and the quiet wonder of your poem. how you carefully weave in
all the joy of life right were you have stood.
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I remember those first urgings to escape to wherever. Didn’t heed them until after forty and only a bit…now probably couldn’t, but oh the wonderful memories I own, right here in this place where I live. Love the soft calm tone you use for a complicated issue that assails many of us. Also really like the image of two small boys nailing down those boots.
Elizabeth
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2013/08/03/cloud-shadow/
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Wonderful reading this. Love that sweet last: Pepper holds me.
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Always good to remember your roots, no matter how far you travel…
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Wabi, I can relate to this. I have the travel bug on occasion. It is one reason I ended up in Mexico. Nicely done.
Pamela
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What a wonderful poem!!
existentialism
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Lovely Poem..I enjoyed the way you have weaved it..
RS:)
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I can so relate ~ I wish I can travel and move around more, but there are shoes and obligations to fulfill ~ And darn on those kisses, they do keep us rooted, smiles ~
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We need to escape to feel comfortable coming back home. Luckily I was adventurous early in my life. Keep planning your escape.
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I loved this poem. I forgot about the wordle entirely and was in your world. You describe the wander lust so well, and the things that keep us pinned to the ground. I completely identified with it!
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A gem – sparkling with the fires of adventure and the home fires of security. Beautiful
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i just simply enjoyed, reading your poem
much love…
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