Sonnet: What Is My Next Journey?

Looking forward never got me anywhere

Looking backwards felt like just the same old

Been left alone for the last time, I swear

I don’t want to remain here, truth be told.

There are many things left for me to do

Being stuck in one place just makes me ill

Only some obligations to see through

Then follow the open journey I will.

But, have the years crept on me with disdain?

What if what I seek no longer seeks me?

What is left with an inquisitive brain

When time is rushing along, fast to see?

I cannot, will not, allow any defeat

To stand in my way; to hold still my feet.

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Once again, this picture prompt came from the folks at Bluebell Books for their Hump Day Challenge #8. There is a lot to read on the site, and a huge array of writers and styles. Give it a shot; I think you’ll be glad you did.

23 responses »

Jennifer Zunikoff on August 17, 2011 at 11:58 pm said:

Nice Stuart. I especially like the last couplet. Very inspirations. I know what you are seeking will find you!

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bornstoryteller on August 18, 2011 at 12:03 am said:

Thank you Jennifer. I hope so.

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Sulekha Rawat on August 18, 2011 at 7:41 am said:

Liked the last line about not letting defeat to stand in your way…great poem.

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- bornstoryteller on August 18, 2011 at 10:23 am said:
  
  It’s not only how I feel. I felt this for someone in my life as well. Thanks.
  
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Li on August 18, 2011 at 9:35 am said:

I know you’re always looking for critique. There’s nothing to pick apart! What I like: you maintained the same voice and simplicity throughout. I find some sonnets try and integrate flowery prose, metaphors, AND unaffected emotion. It doesn’t work; it’s jarring. And so you did well in keeping this simple and heartfelt all of the way through. Not to mention that it doesn’t seem contrived – I find a lot of poetry appears blatantly shoe-horned into a particular form. So – you get a gold star 🙂

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- bornstoryteller on August 18, 2011 at 9:45 am said:
  
  Thank you Li. I like gold stars. Used to love them as a kid. Today, so many lose out on the simplicity of getting that Gold Star.
  
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Morning on August 18, 2011 at 9:37 am said:

stand where you aRE, win…

beautiful wonders, thanks for sharing.

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- bornstoryteller on August 18, 2011 at 9:47 am said:
  
  Thank you Morning.
  
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West Lake on August 18, 2011 at 9:56 am said:

love the ending, beautiful work…

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- bornstoryteller on August 18, 2011 at 9:57 am said:
  
  Thank you.
  
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charlesmashburn on August 18, 2011 at 10:17 am said:

Love the positive spin of this. Well written and very enjoyable read.

Here is my story for week 8: http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/amber-waves-of-grain/

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- bornstoryteller on August 18, 2011 at 10:22 am said:
  
  Thanks Charles.
  
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melissa on August 19, 2011 at 8:52 pm said:

So where does you next journey take you? I loved how a pause in the middle could give you many ways to reflect on life in the form of a sonnet.

I love the theme you picked especially when it’s so close to what you’re experiencing in life right now.

GREAT!

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- bornstoryteller on August 19, 2011 at 8:59 pm said:
  
  I’m not sure where things will go from here. I’m just existing at the moment, trying to not let things get to me, and get past some of the disappointments I’ve had (alongside the good things..many, many good things). It’ll all happen as it does.
  
  Thanks Melissa.
  
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melissa on August 19, 2011 at 8:52 pm said:

* your…

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Jill B on August 19, 2011 at 9:13 pm said:

Stu- Great work. The determination to moving forward, to finally putting into actions, what for too long have only been words, or dreams. I like the question, “What if what I seek, no longer seeks me?”. The details are not for sharing here, but I had to answer this question, and it split me in two with a dagger in my heart and chaos in my mind. I have healed,but now there are new questions and new directions to move in. I am determined to move, as your sonnet says, and not let my feet be held down.
Thanks for putting this into words, it is the first page to go in my inspiration book. Sorry for all this wordiness here, forgive me fellows.

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- bornstoryteller on August 19, 2011 at 9:28 pm said:
  
  Jill…never apologize for letting loose with words. I KNOW we live in a world now of sound bytes and 140 characters..and i detest that. Say what you mean, mean what you say, and brevity be damned if you feel that way. Love you.
  
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mish on August 20, 2011 at 11:18 am said:

Conflicting emotions are evident in this reflective sonnet … but beautiful structure with a natural rhythm … the ideas flow smoothly … and the rhyming couplet is emphatic and decisive – the voice of authority reigns at the end ! I love it !

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- bornstoryteller on August 20, 2011 at 11:27 am said:
  
  Thank you Mish. The conflict is inherent in the “rules” of sonnets, that line 9-12 offer a counterpoint to the first 8, and the final two are a resolve. Glad you liked it. Loved it.
  
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the Cello String on August 20, 2011 at 7:55 pm said:

a talented piece, well penned.

🙂

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- bornstoryteller on August 23, 2011 at 5:57 pm said:
  
  Well penned. I like that. Thank you.
  
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e.a.s. demers on August 23, 2011 at 4:32 pm said:

very hopeful and determined voice in this piece! Well done! 🙂

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- bornstoryteller on August 23, 2011 at 5:58 pm said:
  
  Thank you. As other things, this was from a friend’s comments. It led me here.
  
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