Best Path Poems
I have fought through incredible things
Trauma and all kinds of life experiences
One may think peace comes to one easy
But it doesn’t, as the years I have witnessed
Faith kept me going and my fight for survival
Staying authentic no matter what the issue is
Also what I believe in and standing by truth
All this can sound easy, but it is not always so
It is faith and the will to make it all happen
I have seen treacherous things done to others
That hit me deeply, wishing there is not cruelty
But there is a lot of it in the world out there
Unless we all try to do better still, as we can
--- I have fought and I have failed---
--- I have fought and I have succeeded ---
Up and down this road traveled in life will be
The consistency remains with who I am inside
To do the best I can through the journey I have
As we are true to ourselves, we are true to others
--- I learn the reward is to be earned ---
--- From genuine LOVE comes peace ---
*Inspired by a comment made by a true talented poet Victor Buhagiar
Heidi Sands
7/15/17
POTD 23 Mar 2024
THE PATH WELL TRAVELLED.
Two paths diverged, and I was thrown by doubts I had never known
To my left, thickly overgrown, was a path to dismal dimness prone.
To my right, a lovely sight-fragrant flora flamed in light
Forms so graceful, beauty rare, a wonderous vision beyond compare.
Both seduced with equal right, torn was I between dark and light.
Resisting limits of time and sight, a liminal border of cosmic might.
Hesitancy rapt with fear and doubt, the pondering heart beat aloud.
Tempting was the path so grand, but instinct cautioned of a treacherous hand.
A feathery touch, a breeze stirred, and in its sigh, a voice I heard.
Was it Hecate who whispered?
"Take heed. Beware, for each path leads to a different lair."
Crystal clarity knew what I must do, and with a heart filled with valour true,
Joyously, I strode wild and free down the well-trodden path ahead of me.
The leaves, like frisking lovers, played as I embarked my chosen way.
Future paths ~ So many dreams ~ Each a thread in life's grand scheme.
Though true discovery lay in paths, I'd roam ~
The one well travelled always led back Home.
By Maria Williams ©
Greeks worshipped Hecate as a guardian and gatekeeper who could ward off evil forces. She is often represented carrying a torch and a key and standing on the liminal border between one place and another. She bears three heads and always has a dog by her side.
Inspired by Robert Frost's 'The Road Not Taken', I chose to write an alternative version.
'The Road Not Taken' is one of Robert Frost's most famous poems. It's natural and understandable that many readers take the poem to be Frost's statement of individualism as a poet: he will take 'the road less travelled'.
The metaphor of the road is one that immediately evokes a journey, not just of the local or day-to-day kind, but of the life-defining sort: life as a journey, with many roads which we must travel along, and with many alternative paths which we must choose between.
POTD 23 March 2024
Desire strong as the concrete beneath my feet
Missteps hinder my stride along a winding course
Signs clearly marked "Proceed With Caution"
Muscles scream to try something new
Never knowing what direction to turn
Exhausted I throw caution to the wind
Gasping in the air with trepidation
Running as fast and as far as I can
I seize the opportunity to test my endurance
Is it a marathon or merely a sprint this course I am on
I won't let it be a dead end, I won't submit
I will have my answer, I will reach my destination
Nights once brought such pleasant dreams
But the sweet memories no longer exist
As persistent nightmares continue to insist
Those dreamy-nights never belonged to me.
Searching for meaning of this dubious feeling
I surmise it emanates from spurious instincts
Residing where he once held my throne
Refusing to depart from the abandoned zone.
In that desolate zone I don't linger any more
Where maddening vibes squandered my love.
My tears file a protest when eyes wish to cry
Having fallen in vain like the petals gone dry.
Petals that once brought me ardent fragrance
Now claim flowers never perfumed my garden.
Winds that blow from forest of barren trees
Warn me, having blown away pristine leaves.
Like a drifter I roam searching for answers
But only questions surround the path I'm on.
What right do I have of owning my dreams
Having relinquished title to fond memories?
May 2, 2018
Placed first in standard contest #135 by Brian Strand
"We are on a journey and all the answers we seek,
are whispered without words."
Quote by- Constance
have your feet ever taken you
down a forest path
a place of quietness where a thousands birds sing
like a symphony meant just for you ...
the foliage lush green
dripping trembling
and you hear water flowing peacefully
you are totally alone
separated from the turmoil of life
at peace, serene and tranquil and in the moment
I have ...
the drums of time have ceased
and my fragile soul is a sea of tears
scars are bleeding, bleeding, bleeding ....
wind whispers my name
and caresses me like a lover
I must let go of my history !
the many twisted passages and contrived corridors
the waves of regret like daggers
but, putting my thoughts aside for now
I wander ...
a sparkling stream musical rocks decayed with years
sitting on one I meditate
breathing in and out I let go of this reality ...
becoming a bird flying, gliding, drifting
my soul free I float on the wind swirling away
God tells me to let go of my past history
that he loves me as I am-
Buddha tells me to live in the moment
as life is short I wake suddenly-
was I sleeping ? the sun is now fading
the air around me is saturated with my prayers
and dreams the trees infinite sentinels
a cool breeze kisses my lips as
I leave ...
Written: October 28, 2023
_________________________________________
Among the living is where perfection is found.
Stoicism is a path of life that acts as dull ground.
The advice is to focus on the bright side of life.
Dispel the negativity, and let vanish all strife.
Inciting people to enhance their morality
To foster resilience in the face of adversity.
Strengthening your resolve and impediment
Beat iconoclastic wits for a fine pediment.
Grasp of the overarching rationality
Sustaining integrity even amid adversity
The Stoic Path is a philosophy of such depth.
With wisdom and tranquility in your breadth
Life taught us to persist in the face of hardship.
To sustain balance while still preserving worship.
Maintain calmness under challenging conditions.
Surmount your inhibitions and avoid suspicion.
And to welcome fulfillment with dignity.
Handle highs and lows with stoic sympathy.
Stoicism, truly, provides solace and calm.
A way of living that allows us to fully qualm.
How? By concentrating on our inner proclivity.
And shedding our bonds is an act of loyalty.
We are liberated from the bonds of conflict.
And accept a promising, significant life profit.
The Stoic Way is a philosophy with lofty stature.
steers our deeds into an improved, sound future.
Integrity and prudence in the face of misfortune
To mold ourselves and have a vital life and fortune.
Oh seed of Dante, dost thy path
in mid-life's turning gone astray
upon a sylvan darkness hath
to tread a rut with feet of clay?
Wast thou that youth of virtue pure
who bargained not with Judgment Day
untempered green convictions sure
before life's tests induced decay?
Didst compromise and circumstance
thy dreams of glory put away
to promise them a second chance
if thou but wouldst concede delay?
Rejoice upon thy wisdom learned!
With youth's illusions purged away
there's still a kingdom to be earned.
Persist, persist, and find the way!
June 28, 2014
Fae circles of mushrooms
Lanky yellow toadstools
Firm jelly tot larvae
Feed from rich stagnant pools.
Fungal disks cling with wanton
To the grey trunks of trees
Cricket strums join to bird song
Sending messages of peace.
Lambent beams break through foliage
Gradient tones tint the scene
Yellow, purple, and whites
showcased by backgrounds of green.
Fractured rock nests bright flora
Compost mats engage moss
A place of breach and survival.
Nature's gain, (one might say)
is the product of loss.
Into slithered path of forest green
my imprints mark a search for peace,
as bushes hide like shades unseen
where vines’ fragrance holds its release.
Drained, I see life through a flower
struggling to curl among meshed weeds,
these limbs falling on ash of hours
like old willows bound to concede.
Enduring climbs upon a hilltop
the blaze of night in gold appears;
so far the wrens, too near I drop
till leaf of hope breaks, as morn nears.
Dusk now closes its drowsy eyes,
as forest still grants what is mine
breathless from new mist, I arise.
while soles run here in thoughts divine
Mau 2018 Standard Contest of Brian Strand
Towards this world I am ambivalent.
Seeking not for retribution
but focusing on clarity of mind.
One may have a tenuous grasp on reality
and still, achieve this.
For a blind man in the fog
has the same chance as the sighted.
Self-reliance and intuition are his eyes.
As clear as day he walks his way.
Only he knows his own heart.
Walk on the path of love
by your very soul.
Listen to the laughter of your heart
alone..
Feel in the sweet sound of the light steps of love
sashaying in your whole
alone..
Bathe in the warm flow of love
till your soul is suffused with beauty.
Let your love be enshrined in the sacred path of heart
hide it between his layers
keep it out of sight.
keep it away from the path of mind
Let it escape its books and frames
Love has its very mood and sways!
The mind has its very language and ways!
Tell your love to stay away from the path of life
Tell your love
“Your colour will fade
You will lose your taste
The air will wear your very scent
and you risk end”
Don’t let your heart close his eyes
keep him awake the whole night
whispering his glory to the moon
while throbbing to the stars.
Don’t let your heart close his eyes
Tell your heart to stay awake
till the luminous rays of dawn strike his path.
Show your love to the rising sun
Let it step through into its glowing light
Let your love wear the robe of a majestic mountain
Let it rise
alone..
Repose your love on a solid rock
Let run through you
an enormous strength.
Dip your love into crystal clear waterfalls
Let it taste free and wild fall.
Let your love reach the infinite sky
till your Self attain a highest one
alone..
Monday, January 14th, 2019
Today I have the wish to wander.
Down Goethe’s path I choose to go
with a world of thought to ponder.
Where I might end up - I do not know.
I meander with a little stream.
All around me, myriads of trees
stand like seers; serene and sage they seem.
The stream’s sweet murmur carries on the breeze.
Something fresh! A rumble I can hear.
This rumble has a soothing quality;
my prior musings start to disappear.
The source of this new sound I have to see!
Goethe’s path has led me to a secret place.
Clear water is cascading into a lake.
There is no world of thought when facing grace.
Embracing bliss, I have a plunge to take~
For the Create Life Poetry Contest
When dawn’s bright light reveals your dreams with endless scope,
Embrace each day with courage, let your heart find hope.
The path ahead may test you, challenge all your might,
But stand with strength and honor, let your spirit light.
In times of doubt and sorrow, when your strength seems slight,
Remember deep within you burns a steady light.
Each trial that you weather will shape who you become,
And through each struggle faced, your destiny will hum.
Don’t shy from paths untraveled where the wild winds roar,
For risks and daring ventures open every door.
Though twists and turns may come and obstacles arise,
With each brave step you take, you’ll touch the boundless skies.
Hold dear the ones who guide you with their love so true,
Their laughter and their warmth will help you see it through.
Value every bond you make, let your heart stay kind,
For in their constant care, a light you’ll always find.
Treat yourself with kindness when you stumble or fall,
Perfection’s not the measure; it's the effort that stands tall.
Forgive your own mistakes and cherish every try,
For through your gentle heart, your dreams will never die.
Life’s not a frantic race but a journey to embrace,
So move at your own pace and find your sacred place.
Every moment’s precious, each step a chance to grow,
And in this grand adventure, your true self will show.
As you look towards the future and the days unknown,
Know that every step you take will help you find your own.
Face the road before you with hope and endless grace,
For you’re stronger and more resilient than you may embrace.
I once stepped into a labyrinth, that grew upon the crest
The unraveled trail through silver pines, where ferns and grasses wept,
Where birdsongs rose, from scattered boughs, and echoed to the west
Moss grew to warm each foot with jade, while solemn trees had slept
--
I remember how the stately timbers, had leaned against the sky
I stood knee-deep in ancient times, my heart was on a quest
to riddle through the forest's mind, into a honeycomb of sighs
Each spire grew from sod and loam, and branches fell to rest
--
Shards of sun, bright fingerlings, had haloed 'round my head
Sparks shaved and thinned, by silver limbs, would reach to catch the sun,
Like candles tall, along the trail, the dust burned rust and red
It bounced with light, off fragile lattice, webs, and laces, spun
--
Asylum blessed, so undisturbed, exquisitely serene
My famished eyes were wide with awe, but yet was not my home
Beneath each leaf, beneath each limb, were tiny worlds unseen
With cushioned steps, I walked with care, for this was sacred loam
_______________________________________________
Goethe Stanza
As I Walk Hard Narrow Path, Dust In My Mouth
I walk hard narrow path, dust in my mouth
Just a poor farm-boy, born in the dear South,
With edges slippery and turns so quick
Oft so weary, too often so damn sick.
Trudging on through, into midnight's dark cast
Praying my courage will forever last,
And in my dreams, I meet my angel here
She of sweetest heart and devoid of fear.
Each new sunset , I watch those red-burnt rays
Muttering words, as only poor boy prays,
In wind's soft blows, I hear, "patience rewards"
Step thee lively, avoid the broken shards!
I walk hard narrow path, dust in my mouth
Just a poor farm-boy, born in the dear South.
R.J. Lindley ,
July 11th, 1973
Sonnet, ( Working on the farm before sun-up until after sunset)
Note: I decided this morn, to bring this one right on out of my private journal.
Hope you may enjoy it, as I wrote it at age 19..
Any that worked on the farms in the 60-s, 70's, and 80's, will certainly get this..