Notes About The Poem

A Few Steps Behind

Often, when I find myself as part of a crowd,
I slow my steps, gladly falling a little bit behind
so I can escape the bluster of voices, too loud.
It puts me in a more tranquil frame of mind.
Don't think I'm strange because I walk slowly.
Make no judgement because you don't know me.

I take the back row at movies or a concert hall.
When I'm with friends, walking on a sandy beach,
I'm looking for sea glass; a few steps behind I fall.
They're always within my sight. Never out of reach.
Often, I'm called 'slow poke,' with gentle teasing,
but I find falling behind others to be quite pleasing.


~ written for Mark Toney's 'Flash Poetry Challenge'
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

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Seeker Avatar
November 9, 2024 at 6:06 PM
Beautiful write, Lin, enjoyed the mindfulness orientation of being as such, oozing love and radiating joy
Rodrigues Avatar
November 9, 2024 at 4:04 PM
Some people must. One of my grandsons would lag behind. Us, that want life to move fast can learn from a slower pace! Nice one, Lin!
Toney Avatar
November 9, 2024 at 8:54 AM
Thank you for supporting my Flash Poetry Challenge, Lin. Your poem was randomly chosen to feature in my 'Results' blog, which is now up and running. You may be 'a few steps behind,' but your poetry is light years ahead! ;-)
Lane Avatar
November 9, 2024 at 9:04 AM
What an encouraging comment, Mark. Thank you for appreciating my efforts at writing. I wish more poets had taken part in your challenge. It's a good idea to get something positive going in a blog after so many have been ruined by some who enjoy taking center stage. Thank you for limiting comments to only those who take part. Have a great weekend.
Cunningham Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 10:21 AM
It's great to be part of the crowd Lin but nothing beats being alone, doing what you want to do and answerable to no one. Good luck in the challenge. Tom
Lane Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 10:28 AM
That's exactly how I feel, Tom. It'll be interesting to see how the challenge moves forward. Mark has done a good job of explaining how it works and with his stipulations as to who can comment and who cannot.
De Beaulieu Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 9:55 AM
Hello LinLang, What is sea glass? I never heardx of it. Thank you. A beautiful poem made me feel I was on the beach. Hugs. /Darlene/
De Beaulieu Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 11:15 AM
Hello Lin lang, thank you for telling abut sea glass. it sound nice. it seems to be useful to makes jewellery. It must be popular with many people. Hugs. /Darlene
Lane Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Thank you for reading me, Darlene. Sea glass consists of shards of glass from whatever source, that have found their way into the sea... tumbled and weather until washed upon a shore. It makes lovely jewelry. Lin Lane
Gifford Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 9:20 AM
Hi Lin your poem is beautiful and so is the picture. I used to drop back too collect different coloured stones. Have a great week ahead, my friend.
Lane Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 9:34 AM
That's something I would definitely do, Zyrool. Thanks for your thoughts.
Lawless Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 8:08 AM
...we would always stay until our sand castle was slowly washed away...I'm with DD, love this Lin.
Lane Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 9:33 AM
Thanks, John. There are certain advantages to staying behind.
Allison Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 5:43 AM
I will follow in your wise footsteps Lin! love the poem and the picture is so beautiful, is it one of yours? hugs Jan xx
Lane Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 5:59 AM
Thank you, Jan. I too, was drawn to this painting. It's not one of mine and my lady on the beach would've been appropriate. (I know she's your favorite) This one has more simplicity in color, but the shades caught my attention as well as the reflection.
Kavanagh  Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 4:42 AM
Ah yes, we take so much more in at our own leisurely pace Lin, that’s what good poets do, life will pass you by otherwise and perhaps take no notice of you, a lovely perspective taken here, cheers David
Lane Avatar
November 4, 2024 at 5:57 AM
It's the little things that are too often overlooked that I search for in life... that one dainty little flower that somehow managed to grow between the sidewalk crack, or finding a piece of sea glass and wonder what it had once been a part of. Mundane? Perhaps, but that's the type of little things that I find makes interesting poetry. Thank you for liking my perspective, David.
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