You never know when your journey is truly going to begin. this is so poignant. This stanza right there is so perfectly said.
“And maybe that’s the point of all of it,
that a life can be shaped by fire and loss
and still arrive at something gentle.
Something steady. Something meant.”

We took the long way! Over this mountain, across the bridge. So many detours to finally arrive at the same destination.
A writing site because we had something to share about our journey. On-site and off. We were both going through it!
Changing directions at the same time at the same exact moment. Our writing hands literally bumped into each other.
They were our cars filled with ink instead of gas. It was Serendipitous! I know Serendipity is one of your favorite movies! lol
We are fortunate baby. Timing is everything!
You are my happy place, always will be.

And the poem is beautiful!

Thanks Damian. Sometimes when Del asks about my past, although I am truthful, I wonder if this will be a make or break moment. I’ve had some doozies! But, just before I “met” her on DUP, I was going through a lot of mental evaluating, etc.
Finding a writing site like that helped calm me and kept me from running the streets, so to speak. A refocus, perhaps.
And yes, she is literally perfect for what I was lacking in my life. A true companion that checks all the boxes.

I thank you very much for that, Willow. I’ve finally allowed myself to listen to the wise voice in my head! I think my “growing” phase was maturity taking effect more solid. Better choices, etc.
Your part about your sweetie and your reply is awesome. I have made a ton of mistakes, yet that path has gotten me here. So, who knows, yaknow? At least I am wiser than then.
Your comment is cool!

Thank you, Thomas. I hacked at this write for a few days, even. Trying to convey the closest to exact message that I could. No metaphors, no mystery. Just pure appreciation.

It takes wisdom just to write this. I’ve looked back at people I associated with for decades and ask myself why? I was used and spit out but kept going back. More than likely because I just wanted friends. Now I’m wiser, but what a bunch of crap I’ve gone through to get my brain in the right place.

Great poem and one I can identify with. It’s often we tend to think we’re the only ones who’ve gone through crap until we read what others are thinking. It’s good we chose poetry to express ourselves.

How have you been, Tim?
Like most, and as you mentioned for yourself, I’ve been through some crap. And, a lot was self induced. As time goes by, excuses get lamer. It was time to get my act together, for good. The timing of things just worked out, too.
I truly appreciate seeing you here, and on the site as a whole.

Styx, you’ve got a little Barry White in you dude. Someone once asked is it the journey or the destination, seems your trip to the moon discovered more than just cheese. Tight

I love Barry White! That man can melt any woman’s steel heart! And other stuff. LOL
Thanks ME. I’m still trying to post some decent material, so it’s always good to know if it works or not.

So much insight here. The words are very lived in with layers upon layers. And the end result is very well earned. A wonderful read full of human truth.

Thank you much, Brandon. I was aiming to write something as a tribute, yet also insightful on a personal note. It took a bit of hacking to be satisfied with the end result!

“..-Everything I’ve survived
and everything I still hope to be.”!!
A heart-touching, insightful poem. Well done!

“It never even existed” well felt that and I am pretty sure a lot of people do… Really good piece.

When i first wrote this, it was from her perspective. Listening to her talk about it and how she felt about it. It wasn’t until later that I had reason to relate to it as she did. She never saw the poem or heard the song until recently because I didn’t want to scratch the wound. But she’s heard it now. Thank you, Brenda 🧡

My daughter only heard it today and has announced that I should be the official lyricist of her life. It’s finally been long enough that the pain isn’t as fresh, so I let her hear it for the first time. That “chorus” was a recent addition…written from fresh understanding of my own. Thank you, my friend

My daughter is an amazing woman…just not his amazing. And that’s not his loss or hers. She gained a lot of sense of self from the experience and is a stronger person than she was then. Like her mother, she’s a giver. And that usually involves giving too much leeway and too many chances. Hope dies slowly, I guess. Thank you, Honoria

Powerful work. Tremendous writing.

There is a fire of honesty and feeling here.
This stood out:
“it’s not how you held me…

it’s what you held back…”

Great work
Regards
James

Hi Willow!
The poem is great but with the added song, it sounds so smooth. Like velvet.
Just awesome!

This is so sweet and I love the back and forth. It worked well. You can see the conversation between the two of you. Very nice collaboration.

I love this:). Thanks for collaborating with me sweetie.

I also got to give a shout out to Crimsin since she inspired me to try something related to the desert:)

Beautifully penned, Mark & Adel. What a lovely collaboration, really love the back and forth between you two, as in life and in love, your words also show your undeniable connection. Nicely done. Appreciate you both.

Damian

Thank you, Damian. Her and I have a remarkable amount in common. And thankfully our creative writing is what ultimately got us together. That is a huge reward!

hello the both of you this is true love what it feels like what it looks like… so much passion time nor place can part just beautiful ❤️

You guys are like the dynamic duo of poetry, tight work dude

Oh, we are pretty dynamic in a few ways! Thanks though, because it was writing that got us together. It was the crazy humor that snagged us! LOL

The ebb and flow of this collab is beautifully harmonious!

I hope I get to see this bonfire because she came back with a burner. Your words are powerful, very nice piece

Holding our words always backfires. Anger has so much power. It can be overwhelming.
I totally get this write.

Thank you

For some reason, I picture us sitting around that fire singing We Will Rock You by Queen. No Kumbaya or Row Row Row Your Boat. Kick it up with some fierce fight songs,I say. I’ll grab Wet Ones for the gooey fingers we’re bound to get from the marshmallows. Thank you, my friend

When they’re ready, they’ll come. I’m just biding my time and building energy…for now. Thank you

I actually have a number of creative outlets, though painting has proven to not be among my talents. But when the muse stops speaking, they all go dormant at once. It will come in its time. If you’re saying I should stop writing, that’s not likely to happen. 😂 Thank you

YES!!! Not only is Willow back, she comes with FIRE!!! Isn’t that usually the case with real poets, there are too many words, too much emotion and we cannot hold them back even if we try. They demand to be spoken, written on parchment, sung to the universe. These words are like lava, burning as they go, scorching the earth with an anger born of seeing, feeling, too much pain. Or at times seeing and feeling a shared connection with a fellow traveler while holding hands. And, we take these too many words and shape our world, influence those around us and make the world colorful.

Speak Willow, Speak!!!
-Curt

That storm in your skull feels real—too many words clawing for daylight while you’re just trying to breathe.
But I like the stubborn fire in you, using the anger as fuel instead of letting it burn the whole house down.