A Moment's Difference

 free verse with poetic device
                
Having just disembarked from a date with death
on the water, time’s gateway forked for a moment.
Was it the mere dropping of an oar?
or perhaps an encounter with storms?
more milestones, maybe a meeting with the Master?

What purpose was there for extending my life?

Underwhelming thought - a single moment in time.
An irresponsible, selfish person with evil intent - 
stabs at significance without a thought, without a care
for whom she hurts or whose lives are changed.   OR

Breathtaking thought - a single moment in time, 
A responsible, noble human being can create hope
by presiding over, planning for, defining...
inviting the power of the moment.

I chose the latter, went back to school and 
became a school teacher to make a difference.


written September 24, 2014 with revisions on June 3, 2018
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014


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Date: 6/14/2018 4:12:00 AM
Congratulations on your win with this well-written poem on the purpose of your life. Imagery is awesome.
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Reason A. Poteet
Date: 6/14/2018 4:36:00 PM
Glad for the read, Susan, appreciate your support as usual.
Date: 6/5/2018 3:29:00 PM
Great write and imagery, Reason , a great purpose of a way to live life; congratulations on your win! Hugs Eve
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Reason A. Poteet
Date: 6/6/2018 1:11:00 PM
Your comment encourages me to keep on writing, now that I have retired from teaching.
Date: 6/5/2018 2:48:00 PM
Well penned, RAP. Awesome imagery. Congrats on your well deserved win.
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Reason A. Poteet
Date: 6/6/2018 1:15:00 PM
I do appreciate your support, Line and enjoy reading your poetry as well. Just read your recent food haiku. I was introduced to pizza from the box kind; and thanks for the reminiscence of my brother whose favorite was raisin pie. YUM on both pieces.
Date: 6/5/2018 12:59:00 PM
- We can always start on new paths in life ... as long as we have hope and courage, R.A.P. :) - Lovely written - Congratulations on your 6th place in the contest :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Reason A. Poteet
Date: 6/6/2018 1:17:00 PM
I love your comments, Anne-Lise, have often wished there was an easy without (without editing) to record the placement in contests. Thanks for commenting.
Date: 6/5/2018 11:41:00 AM
Thank you for sharing this significant story and it is just wonderful to hear what you chose to do. Congratulations for your win! Thank you for entering my contest :)
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Reason A. Poteet
Date: 6/6/2018 1:18:00 PM
Heidi, it was a great contest theme, some folks don't realize they they have a purpose; but in reality what is most important to us is our mission, recognized or not, Thanks for the placement.
Date: 10/5/2014 3:53:00 PM
Thank you very much for your poetic interpretation of the surreal art! I would list this as an Ekphrasis, a term used to denote poetry or poetic writing concerning itself with the visual arts, artistic objects, and/or highly visual scenes. Congrad's on your win please do enter my next contest. Light & Love
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Reason A. Poteet
Date: 10/5/2014 10:13:00 PM
Thanks, Debbie, for the placement in your contest, I do enjoy the challenge of these types of contests involving the interpretation of a picture etc. I always look forward to seeing what you have to offer in the way of contests.
Date: 10/5/2014 11:34:00 AM
Very well done, Reason! Love your take on this Devise theme. Can appreciate it even more thanks to your footnote. Congrats on your podium finish. // paul
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Date: 10/5/2014 9:33:00 AM
love the alliterations.. :) Awesome imagery.. congrats on the win.. :D!
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Date: 10/4/2014 5:57:00 PM
Reason, breathtaking indeed, the poem that is. Congrats on your win... HSK AlKendi
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Reason A. Poteet
Date: 10/4/2014 6:58:00 PM
Thank you, HSK, glad to meet you. Appreciate the compliment.
Date: 10/4/2014 9:56:00 AM
What a great use of the challenges in Deb 's contest! Each line flows so naturally, one doesn't notice that you used the "devise" necessary! Well done, and congrats to you!!
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Date: 10/4/2014 9:41:00 AM
Very interesting write, congrats on the win, Reason
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Date: 9/26/2014 8:43:00 AM
Wow, very impressive Reason. Thanks for explaing.
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