When I was a child
I knew Otherplace
I was a resident
Of that wonderland
Of wondrous possibilities
Where just ahead beyond
The mirage on the tarmac
The next hill
The bend in the road
The dark shadows of the forest
The face in the cloud
The reflection in the pond
Beyond the depth of water
And all the magic that it holds
Were wonders beyond worlds
Adults said that Otherplace was fantasy
Foolishness
The stuff of dreams
Not real
Stop daydreaming and pay attention
Said the nuns
Eager to comply
Eager for adulthood
I acquiesced
And eventually Otherplace faded away
And yet
But a moment ago
I got a glimpse
Of Otherplace once more
We go back to that Otherplace often as we wish to, stay as long as we can and want to, fantasy,found in all the places mentioned in verse one, and a mere glimpse when adulthood comes is better than having no otherplace to see to
Yes, Regis, we all need an Otherplace. We should never let go of that place, no matter what adults, be they nuns, family, or anyone else, try and snatch it from us. My "otherplace" is science fiction. It removes me from quotidian adult life, with all its burdens, into other worlds. My Otherplace is The Stories of Ray Bradbury. We all have an inner child, and the light of that child should never go out, because, as with dreams, we need that child. That is what refreshes and restores (which reminds me of your Black Flowers). Yes, even as a child, adults are telling us (and as adults too) to PAY ATTENTION. well, i say, let's all pay a bit more attention to our Other Places, because those are as essential as our current places. Isn't it funny how we, when young, long for adulthood, fantasize about that all the time, but then as adults, are told not to fantasize about childhood? Thanks for this poem. I would elaborate just a bit on your last stanza. What brought you back to Otherplace?
A great write. If you don't have an Otherplace, where will we go when the Realplace gets too complicated? We should all have an Otherplace, I know I do. It's a place we go that we can create our perfect world, with great adventures and wonderful people, and NO ONE can take that away from us! Bravo, Regis!!
I'm glad to see that you got a glimpse of "Otherplace" ... this means the innocence is not lost, the safety of "Otherplace" remains within ... a place we can always retreat to and discover our dreams. Wonderful! Hugs, Elizabeth
Never give up the otherplace. I am there often in my dreams and in my ooetry.
hugs
Kathi
Reviewed by J.A. Aarntzen (Reader)
Reviewed on December 19, 2008
The reality is that Otherplace is the real place and the world of adults is the illusion. We are all from Otherplace and we all will eventually go home. Reg, I am very impressed with your work.
Reviewed by Gianetta Ellis (Reader)
Reviewed on December 17, 2008
I love the message here. I have never lost sight of "Otherplace", though I have been distracted from it many times. I hope that through my example, I can keep my young daughter's "Otherplace" alive and expanding with the wonderment and mystery of life as she grows.
I don't know how I missed this poem, perhaps I was in that "Otherplace"!
Wonderful poetry and so real for me...
Great blessings to you dear friend,
Peace, love, and light,
Amber "V"
Like you Reg I love going to Otherplace. It takes my mind off of the worries that life has thrown at me. Otherplace not real, only a fantasy? Then by reading these coments to this wonderful poem, I'd say it was the nuns who were living the fantasy life. All of us who write poetry often go to Otherplace, and visit with our muse, to romp, jump, twirl, play, shout, scream, and laugh until we can't. I like Otherplace Reg, because it is a symbol of our inner child, that we should never be too far from.
Thank you so much for the wonderful memories this brought me back to.
May the Lord Jesus bless you, and those whom you love and who love you, and be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love in my heart, joy to the world, peace on earth & ((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), your little sister, Barbie
'Thought I saw you there!:) What would we do without Otherplace?? The child in our heart and soul who still believes in miracles?
Not only that, but that there are things -- good things -- that cannot be, nor will they ever be, explainable in "adult" terms. Like being one with the sun, the moon, and the stars. Like flying around the world while lying on a patch of dandelion-dotted grass on a warm spring day. Otherland is real, all right. But only in a good way! Thank you so much for taking us along with you. Think I feel a song coming on!! Have a wonderful holiday season, Reg. I'll be thinking about you. Phyllis
Unlike you, I long ago banished the cruel world, and now I live in my own otherplace with Aristotle, Pythagoras, Homer, Einstein, Tesla, Bohr, Asimov, Clarke and W.C. Fields! a real motley crew we are, eh? You should see and hear us on poker night!
This poem was great fun to think about, but I wanted to show you in my review and not tell.
" Otherplace" -- Reg, we are forced out by the pragmatic influence of the adults in our lives -- to stay in, "Otherplace", is to live a life of continual joy -- foolhardy you say -- how foolhardly, unimaginative, is day to day reality? -- peace and love to you my friend --
Hey Reg...nice work, this poem gives us that view into not just a fantasy but the place where we all wish to be, that joyous place away from all the dissappointing realities that we encounter here in this world...
Wow, Regis, well-said. If only we could recapture more of the imagination, fantasy and joy of our childhoods, what better writers we would be. I didn't get to be handicapped by nuns, but others did the same work very well. I enjoyed this...Jerry
I love this! The wonder of Otherplace is always there, but only for those of us who have the strength, the courage, perhaps even the faith to open our eyes and look beyond....
Imagination is the sole cord of all prosperity, productivity & progress!!! (greed & demise too unfortunately)
Without Imagination We Would Not "Be" at this "Otherplace" which is the here & now....Yes Dream The Dream....My dear Poet!!!
I enjoyed visiting within the residency of....your Otherplace :)
Much Love To You Regis
Peace, Love & Poetry
Embraced~Embrassé
Vickie
Regis,
I think certain triggers send us back to our safe place. I know this is the case with me. Like a safety net, the "Otherplace" waits to catch us. It's the perfect place to find quiet and draw much needed strength for the next challenge. The best thing about this imagined place is that it's exactly as we need it to be; no two Otherplaces are the same. This poem has a Peter Pan, magical feel. Great writing! Heal well, my literary friend. Love and Hugs,
Sheila
We all need to have a place to go, not just physically, but in our minds and hearts...a place to dream and hope and be, even for a little while every now and then. This is especially true for all creative souls.
methinks we all return to our otherplace, especially when the dew is off the rose!;-) Beautiful wistful poem Reg, nice to have that "Otherplace" to return to...
My otherplace was a large field of grass that was mowed twice a year for hay. I would lay for hours and just be. Those were the best of times, so peacful and full of dreams.
Oh! if we only haven't give a hoot at what they said and hold onto our Otherplace...maybe today's many frustrated violent people wouldn't have been such.
"What is life but a dream", as Carol Lewis said...
Your poem is a very beautiful and true statement confirming the truth there is in it. The world is deep but complicity with externally enforced modes of reality makes it shallow. It is good to remember Otherplace in order to rediscover lost dimensions.
Amour et Paix,
Mahdi
It's wonderful to daydream of the Otherplaces we knew as children. But it's never really the same. Fortunately, God also gave us the magic of memories, which allow us to remember with exquisite pleasure the Otherplace visitations of our childhood.
In "Otherplace," Reg, you have shared with us your literary artistry.
You are a master craftsman!
I used to have a problem with the fact that in our lives all things seem to have a beginning and an end until I began to realize that this is not true for all things some things go on forever we just lose track of them or "grow out of them" as we are taught to do. I know "otherplace" and it will allways be real to me.
GOOD!!! It is a place we should never give up, no matter who tells us to, because it is there that our creativity really frees itself and our hearts and souls run in happiness-follow it, Regis, and allow yourself to be happy again. Blessings, my friend, Michelle
Isn't it a great feeling to be able to slip back to that magical way of thinking? And in that moment to wonder why we started doubting the magic? Hope you keep that magic close...well written description of the reawakening child. May it bring you peace and joy,
Jim
Kinda reminds me of Neverland, or the fact that very young children can still remember being with God, but as we age we are taught to forget what adults feel are fantasies...interesting write, sir...Ed
The magic of Otherplace resides in every heart that is humble enough to become a child again. You verbalize our longing for such a place, Regis. Well done.
Never let the otherplace go for we all have that little bit of fantasy within us Regis and it is a blessing to never stay a child yet never fully growing old. Thank you for sharing a precious poem.
Keep searching Reg and you will find it, its there buried in your sub-concious and if can be found. How found a new discovery or should I say an old one reunited. Love and hugs, Bonnie
It's always there, Regis... as Peter Pan would say, "on the other side of sleep and in the creases of your waking... just on the edge of your peripheral vision all the time"... Like childhood, in fact. I have not a clue about this "growing-up" stuff. Seems to me pretence and nonsense... aren't we, after all, just the same people we were when we were three years' old, yet in matured and maturing bodies and with accrued experience as the days and years go by? We just learn to speak the language of adulthood and to modify our outward behaviour, that's all. Hold on to Otherplace, Darlin. Memory is definitely what shapes us and defines where we come from, who we are and where we're going. I've heard it said that it is memory that provides us with identity and gives to time it's directional arrow. Thank you for allowing us to inhabit Otherplace with you. Wonders beyond worlds indeed. No ear has heard, no eye has seen no mind has conceived of the fulness of Otherworld that God has yet to reveal. NOW you've got me started... !!!! :)) xxx
It is sad that we feel that we have to let go of our fantasy dreams in order to advance into adulthood. There was a special security and untapped joy in Otherplace that kept our spirit alive. Letting go was our first step on the road to stress and disillusionment. Oh! to see the world, once again, through the open eyes of a child; to live within a dream while totally awake. Beautiful poem, Regis, perhaps even my very favorites of yours.
Take care,
Sherry
lovely, poem, I prefer the Otherplace - the other other place is okaay and everything if one likes that sort of thing - i even have a few friends who live and work there :) - oddly, they tend to have a few things in common, they like fruit, all tend to have a twinkle in their eye, are light of foot, do admirable and amazing works, and laugh a lot! Dream on Regis, enjoyed your poem :o)
I love returning,Reg... and one day, "Otherplace" will be called "Heaven"
...for we are to revert back to that mere purity and innocence, that utter, trustworthiness, the quiet simplicity and wild curiosity of the little child, in order to comprehend the wonders He will bestow upon us!
Otherplace ROCKS and Your pen is inspiring!
Have a WONDER FILLED THANKSGIVING, Reg!
God Bless you and yours~
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~
Reviewed by ~ Holly Harbridge (Reader)
Reviewed on November 27, 2008
May all your dreams come true and you not lose sight of the childhood dreams that can be our today in the Otherplace that is not so fantasy at all...blessings & peace my friend, love Holly
...never losing site of ones dreams...the Otherplace...in many ways remains one of security...within...never foolish...but forever neverland.
feeling very close to this fine write Regis...
John
Interesting possibility.persist toward the attainment of "impossible"
goals. succeed in showing others how narrow their sight has become whereas what you see is more broadly regarded as vision.
Lord Belmundus – The Omnibus One is a compilation of Books 6 through 10 of The Adventures of Lord Belmundus, a remarkable tale of other worlds, strange customs, beauty and warfare; and, in its grips, lands a young celebrity, who has the chaps to play
Danielle and Nina are rescued from their wicked step-mother by Emma the Yellow Dream Train who takes them on adventures. When Nina learns she has the ability to speak to animals, Emma and the other trains teach her how to use it.
Lord Belmundus – The Omnibus One is a compilation of Books 6 through 10 of The Adventures of Lord Belmundus, a remarkable tale of other worlds, strange customs, beauty and warfare; and, in its grips, lands a young celebrity, who has the chaps to play
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Great choice of pic too!
Sandie Angel :o)
Love TinkaSweets
In Spirit,
Bear
hugs
Kathi
Ron
Wonderful poetry and so real for me...
Great blessings to you dear friend,
Peace, love, and light,
Amber "V"
When I want to be alone and away from it all
Peace be with you
Merry Christmas
William
Thank you so much for the wonderful memories this brought me back to.
May the Lord Jesus bless you, and those whom you love and who love you, and be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love in my heart, joy to the world, peace on earth & ((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), your little sister, Barbie
Not only that, but that there are things -- good things -- that cannot be, nor will they ever be, explainable in "adult" terms. Like being one with the sun, the moon, and the stars. Like flying around the world while lying on a patch of dandelion-dotted grass on a warm spring day. Otherland is real, all right. But only in a good way! Thank you so much for taking us along with you. Think I feel a song coming on!! Have a wonderful holiday season, Reg. I'll be thinking about you. Phyllis
This is a very beautiful poem.
Harold M. Nash
Jean-Jacques.
Cryssa :~)
This poem was great fun to think about, but I wanted to show you in my review and not tell.
Art Sun...
Can we visit together? Another other place to be?
Fun and entertaining movement to that mysticism that is the imagination.
Thank you, ~Donna.
-Debra
Without Imagination We Would Not "Be" at this "Otherplace" which is the here & now....Yes Dream The Dream....My dear Poet!!!
I enjoyed visiting within the residency of....your Otherplace :)
Much Love To You Regis
Peace, Love & Poetry
Embraced~Embrassé
Vickie
I think certain triggers send us back to our safe place. I know this is the case with me. Like a safety net, the "Otherplace" waits to catch us. It's the perfect place to find quiet and draw much needed strength for the next challenge. The best thing about this imagined place is that it's exactly as we need it to be; no two Otherplaces are the same. This poem has a Peter Pan, magical feel. Great writing! Heal well, my literary friend. Love and Hugs,
Sheila
Love and blessings, ann
Your words open a whole new world each time for all those fortunate enough to read your poems!!
Best regards,
Lance
Love,
Eileen
Cheers and peace,
Dan
Walt
Love,Christine
Georg
Your poem is a very beautiful and true statement confirming the truth there is in it. The world is deep but complicity with externally enforced modes of reality makes it shallow. It is good to remember Otherplace in order to rediscover lost dimensions.
Amour et Paix,
Mahdi
In "Otherplace," Reg, you have shared with us your literary artistry.
You are a master craftsman!
Richard
great writing,
Take Care
Pierre
Jim
Linda
Seems a much better place, than reality, sometimes ... well done.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
You have rediscovered the wonder of the child.
Going through the magic wardrobe to Narnia or down the rabbit hole to Wonderland, why not?
Myrna
This is a beautiful glimpse into your childhood.
God Bless,
Lew
Newfie hugs, Rose
Welcome!!
Tom
exist in the hearts of all of us. Thank you. -gene.
Take care,
Sherry
...for we are to revert back to that mere purity and innocence, that utter, trustworthiness, the quiet simplicity and wild curiosity of the little child, in order to comprehend the wonders He will bestow upon us!
Otherplace ROCKS and Your pen is inspiring!
Have a WONDER FILLED THANKSGIVING, Reg!
God Bless you and yours~
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~
feeling very close to this fine write Regis...
John
Interesting possibility.persist toward the attainment of "impossible"
goals. succeed in showing others how narrow their sight has become whereas what you see is more broadly regarded as vision.
alan busch
J'nia
With love,
Cindy