The Prompt of What's Going On is journey.
I wrote several poems with this title and I recycle here one of the very first poems I ever wrote
This one is from 2007
The Journey
I went on a journey and stopped in Paris,
Taking time to cherish
the splendid statues of yesterday.
I stayed to learn French,
and when I got lost in a dark allée,
I uttered, “Où se trouve…?”
and they showed me the way
to the Eiffel Tower,
with its enchanting lights.
I went on a journey
and stopped in Madeira,
an island in full bloom.
Taking time to smell the perfume
and let the colours caress my eyes.
I stayed with a gardener
who taught me about the bees,
who turn gold dust
into sunlight I can eat
I went on a journey
and stopped in Amsterdam,
taking time for the shops along the canal.
When spitting turned into sun showers,
I bought an umbrella with Vincent’s sunflowers.
It provided shelter for an old lady to her home,
where she wanted me to stay.
She fed me with wisdom
and fine food for the day.
“I will make that journey. In a five-star hotel I stay.
In three days, I’ll go the same way, but then better,”
she said to me on the phone.
She got lost in a dark allée in Paris,
stung by bees in Madeira, and soaked by the rain in Amsterdam.
Reaching your destiny takes time.
What amazing places to have visited. I so enjoyed this poem, especially your wonderful closing line.
ReplyDeletewell two of them the third one I made up but I came in the neighbourhood Gran Canaria
DeleteLinda imagen me gusto el poema. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias, me alegra que te haya gustado. Un abrazo.
DeleteI enjoyed reading about your jouirneys!! Some of it is quite magical! The ending was a surprising one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary :)
DeleteDear Marja, wonderful poem.
ReplyDeletethanks linda
DeleteWhat a way to share your journey. Love it.
ReplyDeletethanks
DeleteWhat fun that your poem comes round full circle back to the allee in Paris, the bees in madeira, and the rain in Amsterdam. "Reaching your destiny takes time" indeed. Is this how you came to live in a Dutch Corner in New Zealand?
ReplyDeleteMy husband was born in NZ that's why it became a destiny 😁
DeleteIt begs the question: is there really a destination? Hopefully dry and bee-free. Or with friendly bees. Allée are always a welcome adventure.
ReplyDeleteyes, whatever destination you set 😊
Delete...the journey is often more fun than the destination!
ReplyDeleteA wise ending to a wonderfully adventurous and meaningful journey - Jae
ReplyDeleteI am sure it was quite lovely to look back on the experiences you had, and to examine your first tentative steps in poetic expression. Good that you kept your work.
ReplyDeleteI felt so happy reading your poem, Marja. "I bought an umbrella with Vincent’s sunflowers." This is such a gorgeous line. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love your diary of journeys. The ending is not surprising. You can't step into someone's shoes, and expect the same magical travels.
ReplyDelete