He left his home of Logic, Law and Reason
To wander after dreams and phantom guesses.
He left unreaped his fields at harvest season
To wade wild streams and glean elusive cresses.
He left the barns abundant with his labour
To pluck haphazard berries from the byway,
Forsaking weary friend and mundane neighbour
To converse with wayfarers on the highway.
He left his learned books all bound in leather
To listen to the titmice in the thicket.
He took for cap and cloak the Seasons' weather
And chose for teacher Nature and the cricket.
He raised the latch and left the cage door swinging
And bade the linnet live in fairer weather.
Then, man and bird, they left the cottage singing
And out into the world they went together.
A contest entry
- For Lovers of Form . . . by RatherImaginative.
1400 points, ended September 28, 2007, 22 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - TEN THOUSAND POINTS OF RHYME! (now 12,000) - Part 3 Nature by cricketjeff.
1000 points, ended December 17, 2007, 25 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - "Ten Thousand Points of Rhyme" The greatest rhyming poems of all by cricketjeff.
3500 points, ended February 26, 2008, 4 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Insane Ramblings of the Hermit Poet by Great Cthulhu.
1200 points, ended June 11, 2008, 11 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Birdsong by Shya.
700 points, ended June 24, 2008, 16 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - So You Think You Can Write by skyviewexpress.
600 points, ended November 11, 69 entries
• next poem in this contest, • Add to finalists list, or remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
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Stunning.
I love how smoothly this flows.
thanks for entering,
goodluck -
Wow! I can't tell you how much I loved this poem. It flowed better than many of the other entries I've read, and even rhymed. I loved the consistency and enjoyed the message it brings about nature. A good write. Thanks for entering! A finalist, definitely.
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I love the story this poem tells. I lovee how light and wonderful this poem is. It really got me interested. I also like how you rhmyed so well and still managed to keep the flow there. Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed it.
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Freedom!!!!!
Ah, to return to a simpler life and enjoy what life presents from day to day. Experiencing life from a completely visceral viewpoint. I enjoyed your rhyme scheme and the rhythm of your piece. A fine testament to freedom you've penned. Keep your pen to the page and thanks for entering! -
How great would that be?!
A great poem, it flows nicely and has such a great story behind it.
Good Luck! -
What a great write. There is an oldfashioned quality to it and I really admire this adventurer you depict. Great details of nature.
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Beautiful...
Good luck in my contest!
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a beautiful write about setting your own course and following your ideals and dreams rather than the predetermined/fabricated course that might be easier. I've just recently finished a piece along these same lines, titled The Hardship Trail. Thanks for a very enjoyable read.
Rory
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For everyone who entered my contest so far you may want to read the rules this is the only and final warning I am giving out because this contest is so simple and i ask for anything and there were very few rules..if you did not follow ALL the rules you have no chance of winning..i Probably have viewed it but walked right past it cause you didnt follow the rules..if you choose to follow the rules and change what you did wrong..bring it to my attention and let me know that you changed it or else i will NOT view it again! If I delete it before you get a chance to make a change you may change it and then add it to the contest again if you choose to..thank you..
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This is beautiful, I love the form and rhyming, as well as the ideas it gives. Although I love to write free verse, this poem reminds me why I love to read formed poems.
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Sounds a lot ...
like Bobbie Burns. Very nice.
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Nature is a great teacher. Well written verse!!! Well written indeed!
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Hi. Thank you. jimmy
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WOW.
That is such a beautiful piece of writing. It's so peaceful and uplifting <3 You're very lucky to have such a talent to express yourself so well. 'Wow,' is all I can say!
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Perfection
I thoroughly enjoyed this one from beginning to end. The wonderful flow and rhythm, the inspired imagery, and perfectly chosen words, all converged for me. I often wish I could 'raise the latch and leave the cage door swinging'. Great write!
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So nice
This flows, rhymes and carries such emotion. Almost an archetype of how to write a good rhyming poem, IMHO. Enjoyable to read this!
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I really like it.
Well written. It sounds like Henry David Thoreau or my brother. It makes sense and is very readable. Keep writing. -
Congratulations on the well-deserved golden goblet, Jimmy. Your poem is outstanding and you have a great poetic gift.
All the best,
D.M.
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I really like it.
Well written. It sounds like Henry David Thoreau or my brother. It makes sense and is very readable. Keep writing.
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Lovely~
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that was great
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Thanks. Cheers, jimmy
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A novel approach to the emergence of a free spirit - leaving the farm to wander. I think I know that guy. Good write with rhyme and a nice flow. Happy trails
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Hi David. Thanks. Cheers, jimmy
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Great poem! The flow is beautiful and I am left wishing that I could follow man and bird right out that door...
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Hi. Thanks so much for your appreciative comment and giving time to make it. Cheers, jimmy
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I wonder how many of us have thought of just breaking aways from the hum drum of everyday routines and just go outside the box. As I'm reading this, I'm cheering him on-in case he turns back, to encourage to follow that road less traveled.
This was an enjoyable read-best wishes to you~
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Hi Vickie. Many thanks for your nice comment. I'm very encouraged by the fact that you clearly read it exactly as it was meant. Cheers, jimmy
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OUTSTANDING -- Excellent Writing
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beautiful, and congrats on the gold! Excellent poem that brings imagery to life ~Trisha~
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Although Jeff has spoken on my behalf, I felt that I would like to add my congratulations on winning the gold in our contest. As an artist you paint pictures not only with paints but words as well.
Thank you for sharing this with us...Sue
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Beautifully Wordsworthian in tone and feeling; lines recreate the soothing and healing sense of Nature very nicely. Well done.
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As ever you have painted a perfect picture, both Sue and I were won over as soon as we read it. Thanks very much for entering.
Please keep entering the other rounds, love is already underway.
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Excellent piece I enjoyed reading it great rhyme and rhythm in this piece good luck with it in the contest
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An awe inspiring piece. Wonderfully crafted, best of luck in the contest
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A very classical type of poem . Beautiful.
How often have most of us yearned to drop everything and just go where the wind blows us. Well done Jimmy
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Magnificent
This is beautifully written. I love this poem.
I also have these words, a book bound in leather, in my own poem,named Book Bound In Leather
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OH I did enjoy this very much. Very pleased to see a trophy on this piece. Well done. ~Pamela
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Really good flow, and the style is awesome.. Thanks for sharing here, and you can write, Peace, Timothy aka poeticweaver~
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Hi Timothy. Many thanks for your comment and the compliment. Cheers, jimmy
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I really like this. I am going to add you as favorite!
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Hi Kristian. Many thanks for your comment and, specially, the Fav.
It'll help keep me on my toes. Cheers, jimmy
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It keeps to an 11 syllable line with a definite rhyme scheme and meter, so this is most certainly not free verse, and works beautifully for my contest. Its flow is excellent, as is the rhyme---very smooth and natural, and I like the narrative quality to the poem. Excellent imagery, too. I would imagine, though, that Reason would not let herself be abandoned, rather would follow him on his path, not to restrict, but to keep him out of trouble, and even enhance the freedom of his experience. Thanks so much for entering my contest!*
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Hi. Many thanks for your nice comment. Cheers, jimmy
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Excellent Word Usage!
This is stupendous! I love it dearly. It's articulate and precise while also sounding aloof and free. I find it wonderful. Your word use is lovely. Very good. -
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Wow! Ta very much for your enthusiastic comment. Actually, I like this piece myself more than some of my other 'better written' pieces. Thank you again for taking the time to read it and the trouble to let me know how much you liked it. Cheers, jimmy
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