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!

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 love how you put so much nuance into this piece.

Dear M,

It was as though I could smell the paint. The ocean. Feel the sand on my feet. And then came the morning…I really enjoyed the storytelling of this May-December romance. The live for this moment process feels so prevalent in this write. Wonderful piece. H🌷

This feels good. Nothing is rushed – it just is in the moment.
It’s like you turned seconds into an un-rushed comfortable stretch into the next.
I love how you created this beginning for your characters and moved them into possibilities with a beautiful sunset.
Even the sheets played a very cool visual – comparing them to sails.

Loved it! And you. I’m so lucky to get both:)

I just changed the title. This one is more appealing.
At any rate, thank you Sir Damian! It was an idea, with a little real person added in. LOL. I’m just trying to stretch my creative muscles a bit!

Well, you do have an influence on much of my ideas… The feminine aspects and such.
You’re right, I didn’t think about the easy pacing of this/them. But it’s there huh. Good observation!
Hey, nice avatar! I get to kiss that face!!!!

hello dearest Styxian you are a beautiful storteller I felt the easy way you told it like the tide ebb and flow and like the tide building… I wonder at end if your coffee black you had enough of her caramel… great write ❤️

Great piece dude, totally love it. Do you know at one point the post of the poem “Footprints” popped into our head? Tight

Dude your pieces are great, they are original and relatable. Our mind relaxes while reading your pieces and we see calming things

I really like this Mark. When I joined sites decades ago. this was the kind of poetry I wished to encounter. I’ve learnt so much from Americana (though I have worked with Americans) some of it has been a nefarious experience, but mainly, it has had a massive positive influence in my little Welsh world. Your movies are inspiring.

Well, I’ve mentioned before that my biggest influence are the writings of a little ol Chinese lady! Yet I’ve also taken in so many other writers’ works into my brain, from several cultures. I literally love unique concepts and viewpoints from so many avenues. It does mold us, when we open our minds to what is out there.
So thank you, Rob. But in return, your writes make me think, and thus expand too. You are noticed and learnt from.

Thanks FlatDaddy. I do try!

The poem operates as a rite of declassification: the subject is neither bear, nor wolf, nor man, but the oscillation between all of them. And it is precisely in this instability that love appears—not as redemption, but as a force that anchors the untamed without domesticating it. Very well written, I like it very much.

This write is clever with a lot of twists molding into each other. And I love the red kite!
And the heartstrings. I’ll never look at them the same again. I love when you do steamy writes.
Never over done but with a few sharp edges – bringing the heat.
I can’t wait to see your book! And all the works you decide to put in it.

Love everything you do plus you;)

When we read this our mind mind thinks within the piece. Everything that we want is within the cave, truth of self and existence, safety in relation to everything within the cave, all emotions within the cave are real. Outside, there is darkness and every lie that it can hold, There are the teaming deceivers outside totally envious of the warm relationship within, snarling and gnashing their teeth at truth. Tight one dude

Beautifully written and so well thought out, even though you said your ideas were slammed together. It came together very well.

I dig the mix of spiritual and philosophical feel to this, delivered like spoken poetry, that rhythm that begs the reader (or listener) to lean in closer.
Great work.

It was a mess in my head for awhile, and this is the result of that jumble. LOL.
Funny how a few random ideas/lines can blend into something after all.
thank you, Damian!

Brilliant.

Thomas, I wish! But I’m keeping that accolade! I’ve been stabbing my head with a pen lately, trying to make my material worth the read. So thank you for the encouragement.