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Journeys of the Heart ...

The journeys of the heart - a chart of will,
Through wilderness of ways we do not know.
And yet we know that nature checks that skill
Then skillfully and quickly urges - Go!

And so we go - just waltz across that ledge,
With pledge to honor lovers that we meet,
Discreetly checking vanity’s sharp edge
While hedging feelings - reeling with retreat.

The re-treat is the echo of a song
A song of psalm or hymn reviving sense,
A sensing love to which we tag along
No longer wary of the present tense.

So go we must with total unconcern
Returning not o’er bridges long since -burned!




© 2009 Joy A. Burki-Watson

Author notes

a beautiful painting:

http://allpoetry.com/contest/2466017




A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 10 of 10

  • leo2
    November 14
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    Isn't it odd how well eyes, blinded by love, can see into the soul? As usual your writing explores a depth of feelings that immerses the reader in the joy of poetry.

    Sincerely,
    Leo Long


  • pixiestix gold member
    November 13
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    Edit | Reply
    The heart's desires have a strong pull and are difficult to ignore even when carrying the scars of past hurts. It can take a few tries to learn from our past mistakes seemingly drawn back into patterns we find ourselves repeating.

    I think time has a way of not only healing but also editing memories in some cases, allowing us to be open to try again.

    Lots of "good stuff" in this well penned piece, Joy.




  • Peteskid gold member
    November 10
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    Yes change and accepting change are great challenges, and we must engage the next moment, past is gone, future rushes towards us, the present is what we have to work with...well said here...PK


  • humblpye gold member
    November 8

    Edit | Reply
    Perhaps they are the only journeys we ever have Joy, for all the memories we have of life and loves shared and lost, all the bridges burned, they are all heart journeys/ experiences
    Looking back brings the past to the present and as far as I am concerned, time is all connected one way or another, memories we can't escape, but with practise one can make something out of them...I have been back to all the 'important' memories, sat down and taken a long hard look...there's always something there I didn't realise before, perhaps a message
    Once I've written them out, then that is that...close the file!
    There are one or two places I cannot seem to face, maybe someday but not now

    I loved your poem/sonnet

    'The retreat is the echo of a song...' lovely!

    Jhn


  • Aesthete2000 gold member
    November 8

    Edit | Reply
    Joy, you meld your skill and your will,
    interweaving pertinent words,
    but ever-desribing the forward thrust,
    while still holding memories dear.

    A fascinating, wondrously hopeful,
    artistic accomplishment!

    M-C

  • ea silver member
    November 7

    Edit | Reply
    a very jaunty wreathed sonnet and the wreathing is handled so nicely here - full of joy and heedless of regret! It's good when we can reach that point of moving on. I like the positive message as well as the well crafted lyricism demonstrated here.


  • Yemassee gold member
    November 7

    Edit | Reply
    Sonnet, have you were written one before? I don't seem to remember from my readings anyway.

    Ah memories. they're a treacherous, difficult trip sometimes. Balancing on that razor's edge, looking for the fondness, hoping to avoid those things that hurt. I try not to look back because I have not perfected that balancing act.

    You show respect for memories, but for what they were and how they can harm us...if we are not careful with that balancing act.

    Sadly whenever I return to the past, I can't help but seeing the burning bridges...pretty much all of my past ends in flames, lol

    Skillfully done Jy

    Ye


  • Sunshine Always
    November 7

    Edit | Reply
    Beautifully written Joy my dear friend. Ah the journeys of the heart! For each of us an unpredicable course.Excellent as yours always are...Good luck...mal


  • Mirthryl
    November 7

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    Outstanding first line. While some hearts seem to drift without rudder or sail, those charted by will and commitment ofttimes successfully navigate rougher passages.

    Interesting progression from navigation charts to executing the steps of a dance to psalms and the comfort and encouragement of music.

    The concluding line invites contemplation. Sometimes we burn bridges to more fully commit ourselves to a forward course of action.

    Lovely form, with sonnet-y stanzas and couplet, with pretty folding forward and back of selected words and meanings.


  • taylorndncar gold member
    November 7

    Edit | Reply
    a well-thought out effort told in sonnet-fashion. i like this one; the prompt,...not
    so much...! often, a thousand words decribes better than the picture!

1 - 10 of 10