I have never been
the answer
to anyone’s question.
Where light steals
through a forest
leaves foot prints on soil,
I have the substance of smoke.
Dew slips back into the hands --
the wind studies each pearl
before swallowing a thought
unnoticed amongst all the others.
You stir me.
I cannot cool beneath the breath.
I have never been
a cup of tea for anyone.
I dream of dancing --
lifted by music, elegant,
dreamy, bird in flight soaring.
I have never been
able to do more than pray
waiting for God’s answer.
My feet grow too big
stumble over notes perfect.
I have been caught.
Bud full of promises
potential unmet.
Plucked.
Unsure
if I will discover I am
all that you see me being
but sure
I am perfect.
10:22 AM / 10- 08 - 09 /Alexandria, VA
Author notes
Prompt:
Don't Expect by Jocelyn Ortt-Saeed:
Don't expect me!
I've bartered my lovesongs
for a jacket and jeans;
though the shawl's on my head still.
Don't expect me!
I rehearse solo
to counterbalance
the erosion of vision.
Don't expect me!
I am at the still-point --
exploring the space where
the miracle happens.
Don't expect me!
My songs are crazy
trying out voices
that make me expectant.
Don't expect me!
Accept me
as I accept you.
Dream me forever and ever.
~Jocelyn Ortt-Saeed
A contest entry
- Be Inspired by a beautiful poem! by poet2angels.
700 points, ended October 29, 13 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think, what it makes you feel, how you are moved.
Comments
1 - 36 of 36
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There are so many lines in this that I could quote...... too many...It is all amazing and you reached right inside my heart and took it with you...
I love this and sometimes (and it doesnt happen often) , I am speechless and must just leave in a sigh,,,
This is one of thise times, and that is very very good....
Lynda
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Thirsty for Inspiration
I wrote "The Humbled Poet" before this poem because of the inspiration provided by a reader, I heard that night. This poem came because of the inspiration you provided so you can feel you had a hand in its creation. I am happy. I caught something I had been waiting words for and finally earned the right to knock on the door of an idea. Glad you enjoyed.
Love,
Tom B.
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this was so well written
i realy like this write
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Thanks for the bunnies
Appreciation always makes the heart glow
Peace,
Tom B.
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Wow! This is great! What you wrote are so many things I have thought, but did not know how to say.
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NIcest thing I could hear.
I am not trying to put words in anyones mouth. I know that the feelings expressed in this poem are felt by far more people then just me. I also know that I spent years trying to find a way to say this. Glad you enjoy the fact I succeeded. I am touched by your honesty and for letting me know it spoke to you.
Peace,
Tom B.
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I really like the way this poem reads. I agree with the folks below we are all pawns to our own life at some time or another.
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It is not that we are pawns on occassion
It it far more important the role we play and how well we play it. The other actors define themselves by who they participate and respect the other members of the cast upon the stage. Chaos results when anyone begins to think it is all about them.
Peace,
tom B.
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I think at one point we all feel as though we are nothing more than a pawn in life's wicked game of chess. and though the pawn has its role its not nearly as respectable as the place of a rook. or a night. however from your writing i can tell you. you are a queen. the most respected piece. great write.
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Many is the time
We have felt people trying to use us. Part of the coming aware, becoming a part to this universe is discovering two, what many find contradictory, things: No one is the center of the universe; You are the only one who can live the life you experience. It often isn't about Right or Wrong as much as it is about what is the best expression of who you are.
The is an interesting and thoughtful journey one must take to realize that you have to choose and create the universe you live in for you are in this sense and individual. But to quote the Dali Lama about the myth of independence. "If you are so independent, he asked, who grows your food? Who sews your clothes, builds your house, makes sure that water comes out of your showerhead? How were you ever born? The fact is, he said, we have not done one single thing alone, without the help of a small army of others, and yet we walk around talking about the necessity and supremacy of independence. It's completely irrational." We who can demonstrate and orchestrate a sense of teamwork will succeed best. On the best teams each member is aware of the singular importance but also knows how much success depends on everyone else as well.
On your chess board, when the game is on, the person who does not understand the importance of and cherish each and every pawn, soon is no longer a queen.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. Sorry if I have run overboard. It took a long time to get all the thoughts in this piece so succinctly put.
Peace & Light,
Tom B.
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a tender treasure indeed
I am not sure which I enjoy more, you poems or your comments, they tie so elegantly the strings of souls you spin. The hook has caught from your opening lines
I have never been
the answer
to anyones question.
how much time is spent uselessly trying to fill someone elses script, when we have not written our own. it is sad that this realization often comes too late, but no part of living is truly wasted, we are eternally elvolveing
into self, you words are truly spun as a master spinner sets at her wheel plying the streams of what could be , into what is
Annie
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I read this at an open mic and got a very strong positive response. I figured you would find this a support for you to continue to be as beautiful as you always are.
Love,
Tom B. -
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ah blush grin
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sadness
if this message is true, then i really am sorry
for romance should be experienced by everybody
so that they can feel its wonder and beauty
this poem was emotive and imaginative with its description
well done
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Romance is not a denial, but an exploration of wonder. Unfortunately to often, when the walls of becoming are breached by expectations what results is not a sense of dreamy romance but a feeling of oppression as someone else's needs take on the disguise of love.
This was not written to deny romance. This was an exploration of someone coming of age where they have to let their sense of self not be overwhelmed by other people's expectations for who they should be. Amidst all the opportunities our potential provides, we have to choose who we will be by what we choose to become. Others can provide support, enlighten ignorance, share visions, in the end we decide the path we will take. When we take total responsibility for ourselves our romantic side can be set free without fear and have the most wondrous journey without any fear.
Peace & Light,
Tom B. -
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okay
hmmm, i like what you have concluded
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Amazing!
Okay i have to quote you on this one first the poem itself it outstand and take a bow!
Now my favorite lines:
I have never been
the answer
to anyone’s question.
Where light steals
through a forest
leaves foot prints on soil,
I have the substance of smoke.
Dew slips back into the hands --
the wind studies each pearl
before swallowing a thought
unnoticed amongst all the others.
Now i always read your comments because to me they are yoursoul and what a beautiful soul it is so i must say this was perfection:
"The one thing that makes Tiger Woods stand out to me is his dedication to his standards, the compassion he shows himself as he strives and the honor he displays in taking full responsibility for the results of his efforts."
and
"but then again no has to be anyone's cup of tea, it isn't your job to be anyone's panacea or source of happiness. We share commitments, share support, but the one responsible for a life is the person living it."
My dear your mind is deep so deep i could get lost.
Love,
~Lisa~P
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I love a good swim at the bottom of the sea along the coral reefs.
This is a poem I have tried to write many times. We are often burdened with others vision of who we are. They do not mean it unkindly nor do they try to limit us, but they see their dreams without stopping to find out what ours are. They would crown us before we understand how to bear the burden of the responsibility that goes with the crown.
I wanted to speak to the strength needed to break free of expectation. I wanted to capture the anguish and anger that comes when others claim to know you, need you without ever finding out if you want to be part of their psycho-drama. Freedom is not entitlement, but neither do we need to feel that some other person must manumit for us to have the door to it open before us. No relationship that is loving and rich should be a barrier to you being who you are. Good or Bad.
Love,
Tom B.
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the soft vivid pictures that float in ones mind, knowing that each soul is different yet hold just a glimps of sameness. Life makes one look closely at themself, and this lets us know we are something special.
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different we all are, so we shall remain. Yet I adore your poetry here, it was a amazing read. You built this one with eloquent metaphors. A happy go lucky feeling in each verse. Thus painting all who read a vivid photo of life, and how ones faults; maybe another mans perfections. This one made me check myself, I am all this and a lot more.......excellent take on the prompt...you always show your well balnaced talent......novy
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Wonderful Comment
We are so much the same and yet we are all so different. It is easy for us to see so much of all the things another could be, it is an art to accept all that they are. We rarely see, except in another's eyes, what wondrous beings we are. This is good for we need the humility to accept the lessons our actions bring. Even more important is understanding it is not our job to live our lives to please others, it is to learn what standards make our lives complete and striving to meet them day in and day out, not as a judgment of worth but as a vision of all that life can be. There is a fine line between knowing compassion for the self and being a narcissist. The one thing that makes Tiger Woods stand out to me is his dedication to his standards, the compassion he shows himself as he strives and the honor he displays in taking full responsibility for the results of his efforts. Thank you for taking the time to review my poem
Love,
Tom B.
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This is writing...
I got caught up in this from the first word I was interested in what you had to say and if you were following Jocelyn Ortt Saeed...you did with curves of your own. Standing O Tom
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Glad you enjoyed. This was an interesting study to take on. I had to be forty years younger and caught for a moment in the quandary of trying to see who I should be, what others want or play true and just be me. I wanted to use the effect of the repeated line, but put a slightly different spin on it and use it more like the bass drum in a jazz band, both anchor and propulsion.
Peace,
Tom B.
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Optimistic Opportunity spoke to me of a free spirit who is content and intent upon feeling complete within his own self as opposed to feeling responsible for making another feel complete. When another soul gifts adoration and places one on a pedastal there is only one way to fall if that adoration alone is used as a foundation for feeding the ambrosia that the spirit needs, we need a balance of both, do we not, to be appreciated for our strengths and weaknesses whilst also retaining the freedom to work on them a our own pace. Who is perfect? Some may make us feel perfectly fine, perfectly at ease, perfectly loved, but we are all works in progress and the joy ulimately is to journey and grow freely as an individual and as part of beautifully nourishing relationship, is it not? The phrase " I have never been a cup of tea for anyone " made me smile, it says to me that you are non conformist without a need to stand on ceremony, prefering to pour your own acquired taste.
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Discovering how all the potential you are as a human being will serve you is hard enough work. Everyone else should focus on realizing their own. We share with those we are comfortable with. The rest of it is either lint or someone using your life as an excuse not to get the work done they need to on their own.
Love,
Tom B.
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This is awesome
These are my favorite lines:
You stir me.
I cannot cool beneath the breath.
I have never been
a cup of tea for anyone.
We may not be anyone's "cup of tea" BUT...we are God's I have to constantly remind myself of that . The world hasn't always been kind to me or to those I love but with God, ALL things are possible and ALL creation is beautiful and ALL creation IS HIS "cup of tea"
Amazing poetry; thank you for sharing this with me!!!
Be blessed, my friend!!
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You hear it but then again no has to be anyone's cup of tea, it isn't your job to be anyone's panacea or source of happiness. We share commitments, share support, but the one responsible for a life is the person living it.
Glad you enjoyed and wonderful to know you have an open door to receive God's love. Let the angels support your spirit when the world becomes to heavy to bear.
Love,
Tom B.
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Applause-Applause!
Both poems are astounding!
That was a mighty poetic challenge in deed!
The overall feel of the poem is
intimate and has a genuine texture to it.
I did giggle in understanding at the verse:
have never been
able to do more than pray
waiting for God’s answer .(as if that is any easy deed)
My feet grow too big
stumble over notes perfect.I had an "interesting" time in my life
where I was doing so much-without
pause and reflection-
and I fell and tore a ligament in my
ankle...
and actually it turned out
to be the perfect blessing!
really!
Instead of having to do everything
myself (passive-agressive control)
I had to actually;
delegate, pause and allow others
to get everything done...
and in the long-run
it was the BEST SPRAIN
I ever had!
It taught me more lessons
than I ever even imagined.
Perfect imperfection!
ears/Seattle
Way to write Brother!
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We forget to let the River flow and be both afloat upon it as it flows through us. We are not larger than. We cannot control the flow, but feast we may if we can be thankful for being part of it all.
Love,
Tom B.
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You have a way about you Tom. Always able to move mountains within your readers. There are a few lines here that I could take and use to create a whole new poem. Lovely, and inspiring to say the least.
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Inspiring?
Should you choose to use my lines, please just let me know and share the results. I would be quite complimented. Sometime let me know where these movable mountains are I would love to visit As always you leave me with a smile and as sense of having made a difference. Wonderful gifts you bring to my life, my friend.
Love,
Tom B. -
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Absolutely inspiring. Here are a few..
I have never been
the answer to anyone’s
question.
You stir me.
I cannot cool beneath the breath.
A bud full of promises
potential unmet.
Plucked.
Unsure
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this fits perfectly with the inspiration at hand. the dance of words has never leftt You my friend. *bows head*
and it fills me with delight to oncec again see Your work again. i have missed the song and dance, the elegant play of words coming from a dear friend like yourself.
keep the pen flowing.
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Thank you
Quite a compliment! I wanted to capture the awkward place we reach at transitions. Where everyone else sees what we can be as who we are and we are still waking up.
Love, Tom B.
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Your words leave me mute for lack of language to express the essence of the blossom in this one, Tomis.
"I dream of dancing --
lifted by music as elegant
dreamy as bird in flight soaring.
I have never been
able to do more than pray
waiting for God’s answer .
My feet grow to big
stumble over notes perfect."
A search for understanding the keynotes of harmony, more real than dreams....
This is so lovely!
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Thank you
I wanted to catch the awkward place before blossom where we are ready but not ready and all the potential boils within us making us afraid, bold and ingenue at the same time. Naive is not ignorant. Nor stupid.
As always, I am glad you enjoyed. Pleased and touched that you take to the time to share yourself in return.
Love, Tom B.
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