After a conversation i had today this came to mind.
4-1-2013
I sit and peruse the things I have kept
then ponder about all the ones I left. From or'e the many decades that I trekked
going from place to place alone i have hiked. I wonder at all smiles and jokes unsaid
if they had been done with my Okie friend. Swinging bridges crossed, quarries dug into
searches for arrowheads with chert points blue. Rivers crossed, nights out under starry skies
always sight forward no time for goodbyes.
I do not possess the words like you, but this poem touched me as I read it, I felt it would be very hard for me to let you go, if I ever held your hand
Reviewed by Diana Legun (Reader)
Reviewed on June 12, 2013
This poem carries both human strength and human weakness. Strength in the fortitude of adventure taken, weakness in the reflection of 'loss'of youth, companionship, possibility. "if they had been done with my Okie friend." carries sadness and respect to me; and "always sight forward no time for goodbyes." I thought a fabulous end line because it leaves us with the taste of vibrance and eagerness. Lovely energy in this piece, Budd. ~~ Diana
This reminds me as well of all the solo hikes, climbs and wanderings among ice caves, glaciers (with super caution) and peaks...those places where the companionship of a like wanderer would have been appreciated, where, as you say, there would be no need for goodbyes, what might the experience have offered in addition to the wonders of self-realization that I did indeed experience? What might that have been like? You've succeeded in arousing my frustrations (never any regrets) when I tackled the Appalachian 400 club challenge that climbed the New England peaks of New Hampshire, Vermont, and Mass. (often alone, but some with my wife at the time) and saw as your poem suggests, a void where an "okie friend" (or in my case, an organic climber, many of which I knew) would have enhanced the experience. Thank you the reminder of experiences I wish I had been privileged to partake in. (I did make up for the somewhat frustrated solo work in New England, however, when I moved back to the west coast and took on the Cascades and especially my habitual trek to Mt. McKinley, west, east, and south walls. Wow...what a period of experiencing nature's threat and reward.)
I hear you Budd--I too have memories that I can recall and cherish in my heart-well done--I often wish I could have my old friends back with me once more---DK
I feel the swinging bridge crossed by feet long ago...Kiamichi mountains for me... The peace felt could not be bought these days and times and starry skies are seldom looked at from blankets where heads rest...who knows, maybe the indian cupid will shoot his arrowhead and it land where no more goodbyes will have to be said...
Memories are pure gold aren't they?! I think childhood memories are the best of all...those were the times when imaginations led us into grand adventures!!! giggle...nicely done, Budd!
This is a book of free verse poetry that addresses the seven main tests in life and offers some sensible solutions to passing those tests with minimal discomfort.
“The woman or man who is a poet, or fiction writer, or playwright, or all of these, is engaged constantly in a jazz ballet of vocabularies, passions, genders, histories, perspectives, death, love, and life. The music of revelation announces itself to
A further collection of poems, many from years in the Middle East, but also the California San Francisco and Central Coast areas (Santa Cruz, Carmel, Big Sur, Berkeley, etc.).
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Swinging bridges and cherished friends.
Thank you for sharing your smiles to memories.
Lady Mary Ann
you had with your Okie friend :)
I like to sit back and recall the times I had
with my old friends too!
Love and Light
Lily
can be stored in the heart!
Thanks *Budd* for sharing!!
Lady Vivian
Ron
Truly touched Budd...
Teresa
Cheers,
Dan
Anna
Love ya!
Jane