Moving On (poem) by Charles B. Neff on AuthorsDen

Moving On
by Charles B. Neff → (All Poetry by Charles B. Neff)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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By rough count, I have lived in more than twenty homes in four countries and a dozen states on both coasts and in the middle, including Hawaii and Alaska. Our family has not been forced to be nomads by company or military policy. We may have moved more than average Americans, but our experience has been far from extreme. This poem come to me as I reflected on the emotional costs and benefits of rerooting and uprooting.
Moving On We live in an inviting place Sharing space and joy with others Then it's time to move again. Movers remorse joins us as we pack. But, finally we do it, and depart, Leaving more than things behind: A part of ourselves stubbornly holds on. Sadness is our link to that old place Until we realize that we left it With more than we brought: New friends and visual memories We would have missed entirely Had we not had the desire and, yes, The will to try something new. Life is constant accumulation, Adding riches from people and places, Even during brief periods of time, Each weaving bright threads Into the fabric of our lives. We move on with the fond hope That we, too, have left a lingering glow. Charles B. Neff June 6, 2014

Reviewed by Ed Matlack

Reviewed on June 11, 2014

Actually to me, after being a New Jerseyite all my life, like a great way to live...I'd like to at least, prior to my demise, see Alaska first, then Hawaii...but unfortunately I doubt it...after half of a year in the hospital then rehab and I still don't feel to up to my normal self, so I don't think I will be seeing much of the world other than the immediate area...sounds though that you would have many stories to tell & I'd like to read of them...ed

Reviewed by Christine Tsen

Reviewed on June 8, 2014

A wandering soul, but not all who wander are lost :)
You, Sir, clearly have a beacon!
Blessings,
Chris

Reviewed by John Domino

Reviewed on June 6, 2014

Loved the poem Charles! Yes, having traveled the world is one thing. However, having LIVED all over the world is another. Yes, we tend to leave a piece of ourselves along the way. Most of the time it's good. I have no regrets for being a military traveler for almost 30 years. "Home is where I hang my hat, I make the best of where I am at" is the best advice I have received about moving along. Now, that we are somewhat settled and semi-retired we want to RV all over the world. So traveling is in our blood. Still, it takes time to experience a culture so we must stop for a while, enjoy the people we meet, things we see and breathe the new air. Amen...

Reviewed by audrine max

Sadness is our link to that old place

i love that line. true in every way.

Reviewed by E Phillips

I know your feelings because I have moved even more than you have.
But today with the use of the Internet, old friends can be found (or found to be gone). I recently found a teacher from 1951. How great is that?! Yes, life is a journey, and some of us need new locations and new friends to complement (and compliment!) our lives. Well done, Charles.

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

That's a lot of moves, and, a lot of experiences that are priceless, especially for an author. I moved a great deal in my younger years, staying on a job only 2 to 3 years at a time. As result, I have many memories from those times. But when I settled where I am now, each year seems to become a repeat of the last, and the joy of all those new places is gone and hard to re-create.

Ron

Reviewed by Sandie May Joyce (Sandie Angel)

The more times you move, the more places you will go, and together with it the more life experience you will have.

Great poem!

Sandie

Reviewed by m j hollingshead

good one