Already dreading the end,
knowing it will come to soon,
I gaze out the window and
my mind wanders, reliving the days past.
Remembering.....
The first day, Rincon de la Vieja
The crackling of my footsteps,
under a canopy of trees.
A peaceful humming from the insects,
completly encircling me.
In a moment, the tranquility was transformed to chaos.
The branches shook violently and the leaves floated down.
Amid the rustling and noisy chatter,
I stood there, motionless, camera in hand, unable to breathe.
For what seemed like an eternity,
they went on with their lives as usual.
Paying no mind to the creature standing before them,
with a huge smile, watching the monkeys play.
Remembering...
Fourteen miles of rough terrain
through the jungle, hiking [one way],
to see a beach very few have ever seen.
Where there is little sign of man,
with exception to trash,
that has washed in from far away lands.
As I soaked my feet at the edge of the Pacific
A shark joined me on the sand,
and for an unbelieving moment,
I stood there, motionless, camera in hand, unable to breathe,
Until the current arrived and pulled him back to sea
Remembering...
Climbing jagged 'La Roca'
A seashell based lava rock, completely out of place,
atop a mountain, surrounded by marshland.
As the sun beat down on my body,
I absorbed its warmth, and the hot breeze tickled my skin.
I closed my eyes, and the only sounds I could hear
were the howlers, screaming in the far off distance.
And when I opened my eyes, I was lost in the beauty before me.
I stood there, motionless, camera in hand, unable to breathe.
Remembering...
In the rear view mirror
his eyes were black,
wrinkled from a hard life.
A cross hung, swaying from side to side.
I spoke not the language
of the two men, who have picked me up,
after I crossed the Nicaraguan border.
The seats are ripped, the windows broken,
and stuck in the [up] position.
The air is humid, and my sweat drips onto the vinyl seats.
They take me to Volcan Masaya, a vile place,
as unpleasant as anywhere I had been before.
The air burns my throat, my lungs, gagging me,
choking me with its stench, its putrid fragrance.
I stood there, motionless, camera in hand, unable to breathe.
I want to get away, from this place, and never return.
My heart starts beating faster.
It wants to explode, like a active volcano
that has been silenced too long.
The taxi drivers says its time to go
We have a long ride back to the border
Remembering...
Standing on a deserted Costa Rican shore.
Sharp lava rocks dart in and out of the ocean,
as the waves swallow them whole,
and spit them out once more.
The sand under my feet, [is black], as the night,
when the moon doesn't glow.
I am watching the rise
of a sun I have never seen.
But have seen a thousand times before,
but never quite like this.
I stood there, motionless, camera in hand, unable to breathe.
I hear a womens voice in the background of my mind
"Welcome to New Zealand, I hope you enjoy your visit"
But her breath is faint.... echoed,
barely audible....is it even there?
Her sounds drift off, like the breeze inhaled by the ocean.
My thoughts are not here, I am remembering my last destination.
The wheels touch down, on land that is foreign to me.
And that is all it takes, to bring me back to reality.
I grab my camera bag and a wicked little smile appears
Let next years memories begin!
Author notes
The thoughts that go through my mind while flying to my next destination. Vacations are what makes my life worth living. All of the above are true memories and though I have amazing photos from each memory (the monkey, the shark..., I thought the one with the plane wing would show 'a day in my life' the best. For that is how I feel each and every time I board a plane, and look out the window, heading to a new destination. Anticipation, excitement, that can't wait to touch down feeling. Always a new adventure.....and new memories. thanks for taking this journey with me
I am considering making this a series, for I vacation a lot and have wonderful stories to remember from many different countries.
This one is for you Dalaney, you mentioned your fear of flying, and that is what led me in this direction, to write from this perspective (always my unknowing muse.lol). I do hope you can one day overcome your fears, for the world is truly an amazing place that should not be missed
Photo and poem by © jennifer aka Pantress , All rights reserved, not to be used without permission
In a list
A contest entry
- One Day In A Life (Invite Only) by Dalaney.
1000 points, ended March 3, 2008, 9 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Free toilets! (for lack of a better title) by Reset Button.
2500 points, ended August 3, 2008, 20 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
new writer, would love critique and feedback
Comments
1 - 17 of 17
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Let me just stifle a yawn here. As far as a travel log goes this reads reasonably well. Chop it up and make it look like a poem doesn’t really do it for me. In fact it bored me shitless with its somewhat pretentious reporting style. Put this writing next to a few photos and this might work because there has been some effort to make it descriptive. Put them on a blank page with only your words to save you, this would quite frankly sink you quicker than a stone flung from “sharp lava rocks dart(ing) in and out of the ocean,”
I am sure there are probably people who like this type of writing but to me it is too forced and too, almost self indulgent for my liking. And certainly as poetry goes, I couldn’t stand it. Just make it for what it is, an excellent travel log rather than the pretence of turning it in to a poem.
David
PS also can you fix up some of your spelling and “to long” is not only advice about this piece as it needs a good edit but the correct spelling is “too” long.
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Thank you for taking the time to read and critique. I will consider your suggestions.
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Don't put it off too long, they are becoming more obsolete each year with destruction from human growth. While they may still have the parks, walking through them without hearing building and traffic noises may be a thing of the past. Costa is about to expand extremly. Highrises and luxury condos were in development as I left, it will change the atmosphere of these countries and take away the essence of what is unique. We offer them pennies for work, they do not realize what will become of themselves when the rich take over their little towns. I feel sorry for them. I'm glad you like my poem. thanks for commenting. Jennifer
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Oh man! You hit two of my soft spots--photography and adventure! I really love this piece as I could picture everything so well--(one of my childhood dreams has always been to visit the jungle/rainforest). Well written, beautifully described, I like the repetition, it brings it all together. Great work and good luck in the contest!
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Really liked it - just watch grammar a couple of times (to/too). But excellent entry - well done!
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Jen, I am blown away with this entry, and amazed that you remembered my fear of flying! lol Yes, please, please make a series of your travels. I felt like I was right there, and this is a sign of a talented author...you took me to where you were. Love, Lane
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Beautiful
The south american coast lines are some of the most amazing...and dangerous. the people love us and also hate us...is it the money they love? or the desparations that keep the bind?
All the same..you brought back old memories for me.
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Vibrant, alive, in the moment -- sensual, vibrant imagery. This is may be a vacation from the humdrum but its a beautiful statement of aliveness.
Love, Tom B.
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Thank you Tom. To go on vacations like this is what I live for all year round. It may only be for two weeks, but its an amazing two weeks packed full of adventure and lots of exercise. The memories are priceless to me. jennifer
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Wow, how beautifully you have described these amazing experiences, to allow us to visualize and feel these moments along with you. Excellent! Best vacation I ever read.
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Thank you for your wonderful comments, be sure to join me for my next one, New Zealand/Australia in february. See you then. Jennifer
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I wish I could take as amazing vacations as you! But, being the skint, homeless little student that I am; it's not really that possible!
The repetition worked in this piece so well.
Thank you so much for entering this contest; it's greatly appreciated! -
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one day you will
Look at the bright side, one day your schooling will probably pay for many vacations, with ease, and I'll still be clipping coupons to save each year, so that I can take just one.lol Thanks for your comments. Jennifer
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I too enjoy vacations, I've never really traveled a hole lot like I should...but your poem was very inspiring...Good luck with the contest!
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Thanks for the comment, this was just a few memories of another amazing 2 weeks. Vacations don't have to be far away. I started taking one day vacations long before. Get in the car and go until I run out of gas. They have been some of the best times too. Always the explorer
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Geat work! You're so descriptive in this poem that I thought I was right there with you....and that, to me, is what poety is all about.
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i like your poem nice job and good luck in the contest
brookeann
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