A Flame Once Burned

The shadows grew beyond the light.
My midlife crisis felt just like night.
Eyes wide open are now half blind.
I was sent to prison inside my mind.

The doors of yesterday have all been locked.
The ship that sailed has now been docked.
The love of sea has turned to fear.
Adrift on land, I can't see clear.

The winds of change have cast their spell.
Who knew they'd blow as cold as hell.
A flame once burned from deep within.
And now it seems I just can't win.

Robert Johnson
12/02/2012
For Gails contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Harper Avatar
April 19, 2013 at 5:01 PM
Excellent love poem, I hope you placed well with this Robert.
Squyres Avatar
February 20, 2013 at 9:40 PM
Don't know how I missed this one, but I did. Sorry! Belated congratulations on your win !! This one touches close to home for myself as well. Thanks for taking the time to actually read my poems !! I'm questioning myself at every turn on whether to keep writing or posting on the soup. For now I will...looking forward to reading more of your words in poetry soon.
A   Avatar
December 21, 2012 at 10:27 PM
Robert, stopping by with my warmest thoughts~ my best wishes go out to you and your family. Have yourself a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year* Always & Forever ;-) PD
Guzzi Avatar
December 11, 2012 at 3:35 PM
Congrad's on your win. Happy hoildays. Light & Love
Dietrich Avatar
December 10, 2012 at 10:37 PM
Big congrats to you. this was a very well deserved win!!
Posey Avatar
December 10, 2012 at 5:22 PM
Robert, I consider mysellf blessed to have been placed in the company of such talent. Congratulations to you, my friend ...Jake
A   Avatar
December 10, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Robert, Congratulations with your awesome win in the "A Flame Once Burned " contest... always~PD
Roberts Avatar
December 10, 2012 at 11:31 AM
Congratulations Robert ...Seren
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
December 10, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Big congratulations Robert, awesome write xx
Wesley Avatar
December 8, 2012 at 6:59 PM
You are on a roll Robert! Such wonderful rhyme and the sorrow in the story is just what I need. Too much happiness is hard to handle so I want to be here to get my dose of angst that seems to make life worthwhile! Love, Elizabeth
Horsman Avatar
December 5, 2012 at 10:49 AM
you tell it as it is here robert, i grew up in the best time i'm sure, football and rock & roll, and the simplicity of it all....
Dietrich Avatar
December 4, 2012 at 7:57 AM
AHA, you caught the same kind of theme as mine. I SO understand this and DIG it. Yes, it sure seems like hell sometimes, doesn't it? To go back to one's youth. wouldn't that be dreamy?
Guzzi Avatar
December 3, 2012 at 2:39 PM
Really good on..Light & Love
Gorelick Avatar
December 3, 2012 at 7:12 AM
This is darned good...I can relate. BG
Bauer Avatar
December 2, 2012 at 6:39 PM
great poem with wonderful rhyme! best of luck in the contest...
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