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Notes About The Poem

Painting by Elena Adele Dmitrenko

Coming of Age

Coming of Age

The breeze is blowing through her hair,
and like the sun she’s headed west
as apprehension fills the air.

All by herself she leaves her nest
of comfort where her dreams were curled
and sets out on an unknown quest.

A quest to find within this world
of varied visions widely spread,
a place to have new dreams unfurled.

Ambitions deep within were bred
throughout her tender years to find
the great adventures up ahead.

And so, she sets out heading blind
along life’s path of vast extremes
and leaves her comforts far behind.

Her time has come of age it seems
to follow all her lifelong dreams.


July 22, 2022

adventureanxietyjourneyleavingterza rima

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Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 8/18/2022 6:05:00 AM

Yup, you are so right, girls do it, but so do the boys. Being a single mom for 15 years, before Elias and I got married 20 years ago,i kind of knew all his secrets and what he wanted from life, we were, and still are, very close. Im about to become a grandma, after seventeen years together our son and his wife are pregnant! Blessings and hugs, Jennifer.

John Gondolf
Date: 8/24/2022 2:35:00 AM

Thank you, Jenn, and congrats on becoming a grandmother! Hugs John

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 8/11/2022 12:13:00 PM

Such a beautiful piece John, matching with such a lovely painting too. Blessings,Gordon

John Gondolf
Date: 8/11/2022 12:33:00 PM

Thanks so much, Gordon, I appreciate it. John

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 8/5/2022 4:56:00 AM

Congratulations on your podium win in the contest. A beautiful message of the quintessential struggle of growing up. Kudos! :)Paulette

John Gondolf
Date: 8/5/2022 5:07:00 AM

Thank you so much for your comments, Paulette, I appreciate it. John

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 8/3/2022 1:32:00 AM

Those coming of age years were the most difficult for me and also for my children. Grown up but not adult. A marvelous winning poem John. Congratulations! Blessings xxoo

John Gondolf
Date: 8/4/2022 2:57:00 AM

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Connie. I think those coming of age ages, the transition from youth to adult, are difficult for us all. We all have to find ourselves and find our place in the world. Hugs, John

L Milton Hankins

Date: 8/2/2022 9:02:00 AM

Superb poem, John. Congratulations on your podium win in my Terza Rima contest. This coming of age poem is one of the most touching I have ever read.

John Gondolf
Date: 8/2/2022 9:35:00 AM

Thank you, Milton, I appreciate your comments, and thanks for hosting the contest. John

Bill Baker

Date: 7/26/2022 3:19:00 PM

Excellent poem of hope, dreams, and letting go. They deserve to experience their own lives, we can only hope we've prepared them well. Brought back memories of when each of my three children, then five of my grandchildren, left the nest and headed off to college. Thanks for sharing your poetry with us, John. A friend in Anna, Bill

John Gondolf
Date: 7/27/2022 6:07:00 AM

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and comments, Bill, I appreciate it. I didn't know you lived in Anna, for some reason I thought you lived down in the Valley. We are practically neighbors! Your friend in Carrollton. John

Brandy Nicole

Date: 7/22/2022 8:12:00 PM

"she sets out heading blind, and leaves her comforts far behind." These words touch my heart so deeply. As we leave the nest, thinking we know it all- suddenly we realize that we don't. Those comforts left behind, truly are welcomed. This is beautiful, tender and emotional, all at the same time. Many wonderful blessings to you, my dear friend. Hugs, Brandy

John Gondolf
Date: 7/23/2022 4:21:00 AM

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments, Brandy. To move forward in life we MUST leave our comforts behind and face the unknown; this is true at any age. Hugs to you my sweet friend. John