Driving down the freeway
Past the scenery
Of a disappearing countryside
Past the serene veneer
Of cozy communities
Desperately wanting
To expand into the sky
Cruising through back roads
And past impressions
Where the dreams
Of tomorrow share
The seclusion
Of a developing landscape
Here among the golden vapors
Of weeping willows
And lush fields
I sit by a brook
Where time
Is suspended
And my reflection turns back
To look where I use to be
As an inviting and involving mind picture of 'away from it all' this is thoughtful and lovely, Robert. It's a real gift you have for writing in a tone and cadence that compliments the vision.
It also occurred to me that, though I share this love of solitude and nature, in Wisconsin it's more accessible. You, in NY, must have epiphanies, revelations that move the earth! when you can see this. (just a supposition) This is really lovely. katy xox
Reviewed by M. B. (Reader)
Reviewed on March 11, 2005
I grew up as a country girl, nearest neighbor a tree. Hills and valleys and rivers. Grew our own food... Twas really an eden delight. And...
"... my reflection turns back
To look where I use to be"
more times than I care to say as I drive through the streets of my urban paradise, passing
"cozy communities
Desperately wanting
To expand into to sky"
We have to consciously go back and recover what has been lost sometimes. Not just to mentally retrace our steps in order to regain that perspective, but to find the physical capacity to start from that same place again, reclaiming that integrity of single focussed vision and jettisonning the rubbish that has otherwise accumulated along the way. When I've wandered off my own beaten track and am in the mental thickets, I try to make a point of going back to the point at which "I lost it"! Well, this is one way of looking at the image you have presented us with here, but, however you read it, is it from every which way a soothing and regrouping kinda write. TY Kate xx
Wowsers! Jude, I loved this write.
Now, about this car, what kind? And why didn't you call me? You know I love a good ride. Plus, if you'd called me, we could have taken my car. It has wings. ;-) ~~Nordette
Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)
Reviewed on March 10, 2005
It is those quiet reflections that teach us so much. Wonderful write.
Ace,
I saw many things all at once when I read this. I have no idea why that happened, but it did. I saw the city and the suburbs growing outward and up into the sky, eating up precious space. I saw a man driving away from the all the new development going on, to find a place that was still in it's natural state so that he could clear his mind and think. Enough about what I saw. The fact is your writing was as clear and beauiful as the somewhat sad vision it brought to my mind. Excellent Ace!
It's so sad to see disappearing countrysides, everyone wanting a quiet sanctuary, but in so doing destroying the beauty. You are blessed to have such a place to retreat to. Superb Jude :)
I like this ... it has that sense of the timeless being sacrificed upon the altar of the temporal that is so endemic to contemporary America. The rural surrendered for the suburban, if you will.
BTW, Robert, thanks for reviewing my poem, "Make New Words" -- that's how I found you. Keep checking back -- I posted a newer, longer piece of verse today which, like yours here, touches on suburban themes.
Succulent and Serene.
To look at the countryside, one has to at the least try and imagine what it once looked like. Before the bulldozers and heavy machinery. Before the concrete and the sky high buildings.
Before man ruined it's beauty.
Yes hold on to those memories..it's all we have left.
Beautiful write Robert.
Far too much of this marvelous countryside is disappearing these days, far too rapidly. Glad to hear that you still have a tiny refuge you can wander to.
Some of the best parts of life live on within the memories we keep. Everything evolves, some in good ways and some in bad, but recalling those things that live in a warm place in our hearts is what keeps us focused on the importance of our presence on this planet and at this time. This is a beautiful write from your very talented pen, Robert.
Take care,
Sherry
The lush yet peaceful feeling of completeness, found in this magnificent poem about that place where our reflection turns toward its genuine self... there where time is suspended.
I am fortunate to live in the countryside and... would not truly "live" anywhere else.
Love&Light*
Alexandra*
Dear Jude,
This is wonderful! I'm fortunate in that I don't need to cruise anywhere. I live on a quaint little lavender farm nestled in a valley between two rivers. It is so beautiful here and allows me the perfect place for quiet introspection and peaceful meditation. Recently I found that I didn't have the time to enjoy my surroundings but something changed that and now I am making the time. I woke up early this morning to watch the sun rise and to walk along the river shaded by huge willows, accompanied by the choral sounds of birdsong. It revived my flagging spirits. It is amazing how nature can do this.
Take care talented poet
Chanti
Reviewed by Tiana ~ (Reader)
Reviewed on March 8, 2005
I do the same, Jude ... I love driving down to the country and reflect on my thoughts while I watch the waves ... Wonderful write :)
Reviewed by Andy Turner (Reader)
Reviewed on March 8, 2005
I so relate. I spend hours under the weeping willows as hey drink from the river Arun. Fishing rod with no bait. Camera, and note pad to hand. Country side is the life for me too.
Inspiration, comes in abundance. Watching the Queens swans land.
And the peace of Englands second fastest flowing river. Not to mention the roman built bridge, and 500 yr old inn..
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Ron
It also occurred to me that, though I share this love of solitude and nature, in Wisconsin it's more accessible. You, in NY, must have epiphanies, revelations that move the earth! when you can see this. (just a supposition) This is really lovely. katy xox
"... my reflection turns back
To look where I use to be"
more times than I care to say as I drive through the streets of my urban paradise, passing
"cozy communities
Desperately wanting
To expand into to sky"
Beautiful wild ride, Jude. Truly.
Hugs,
Mari
Now, about this car, what kind? And why didn't you call me? You know I love a good ride. Plus, if you'd called me, we could have taken my car. It has wings. ;-) ~~Nordette
I saw many things all at once when I read this. I have no idea why that happened, but it did. I saw the city and the suburbs growing outward and up into the sky, eating up precious space. I saw a man driving away from the all the new development going on, to find a place that was still in it's natural state so that he could clear his mind and think. Enough about what I saw. The fact is your writing was as clear and beauiful as the somewhat sad vision it brought to my mind. Excellent Ace!
Sherry
gonna take my time here....Beautiful
Take care
Reindeer
beautiful rhyme, your always inspiring
Peace, Carole
Felix
It's so sad to see disappearing countrysides, everyone wanting a quiet sanctuary, but in so doing destroying the beauty. You are blessed to have such a place to retreat to. Superb Jude :)
warm hugs
Elga
warm hugs
Elga
BTW, Robert, thanks for reviewing my poem, "Make New Words" -- that's how I found you. Keep checking back -- I posted a newer, longer piece of verse today which, like yours here, touches on suburban themes.
--Bill
Just way too beautiful to resist!!
Love Tinka
This is excellent. I can
remember an America where
you could drive for miles
before reaching civilization.
To look at the countryside, one has to at the least try and imagine what it once looked like. Before the bulldozers and heavy machinery. Before the concrete and the sky high buildings.
Before man ruined it's beauty.
Yes hold on to those memories..it's all we have left.
Beautiful write Robert.
Lisa
Take care,
Sherry
Paul;-]
I am fortunate to live in the countryside and... would not truly "live" anywhere else.
Love&Light*
Alexandra*
This is wonderful! I'm fortunate in that I don't need to cruise anywhere. I live on a quaint little lavender farm nestled in a valley between two rivers. It is so beautiful here and allows me the perfect place for quiet introspection and peaceful meditation. Recently I found that I didn't have the time to enjoy my surroundings but something changed that and now I am making the time. I woke up early this morning to watch the sun rise and to walk along the river shaded by huge willows, accompanied by the choral sounds of birdsong. It revived my flagging spirits. It is amazing how nature can do this.
Take care talented poet
Chanti
Inspiration, comes in abundance. Watching the Queens swans land.
And the peace of Englands second fastest flowing river. Not to mention the roman built bridge, and 500 yr old inn..