All I Am

Long slender tendril of mist in the morning snakes slowly across the cool water, wandering, endlessly, searching, moving slowly, seemingly without purpose, without direction, without destination. It fades like a ghost into the shadows, only to reappear when the filtered light winks anew and its silver coat of crystalline breath shimmers in its tears. It reflects the light of the lonely world through which it passes, like a wraith embarking on its unknowable quest, aimlessly meandering, the dark water, its home. Only briefly does he touch the occasional soul he encounters leaving cool moist kisses on smooth tender cheeks searching for the warmth he knows he will never have, the closeness he can never share. He remembers. Yes, each caress, each kindness. The gentle whisper of the trees as they speak among themselves, but they don't see him. They don't feel him as he slowly slips past. He watches as the fish jump to catch their morning meal of damsel flies, oblivious to his presence. He leaves a part of himself on each thing that he touches, each blade of grass, every grain of sand, the sweet scented petals that spring forth from the buds of the morning glory, the lovers embracing on the shore. How he envies each. Eagerly, openly he gives, asking nothing in return. Everything he has he gives, everything he is without expectation he gives, yet, no one sees him. But a moment of mystery, he soon becomes the fog that clouds the vision, nothing more than a haze to look beyond. No one shares, no one to share. Always alone. The sun peeks expectantly over the bleeding horizon sharing hints of the promise of a new dawn. He awaits. The light brightens as the shadows recede hiding like a child hides shyly behind his mother. Still he waits. The shining smile of the sun beckons him as he feels the hint of its warm rays, filling him. Impatiently he reaches up into its waiting arms. How he wishes to feel its caress. How he wishes to hold it against him, to feel its radiant glow. He twirls and spins like a whirlwind flying higher and higher until the sun's smile begins to wane. He knows he can never reach it. Looking down again he sees himself fading, the warmth he seeks the harbinger of his inevitable demise. Such longing he has. One last sad smile he offers, a radiance that encompasses him. Disappearing like his hope and desire he watches life as it awakens before him.
02/10/17
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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12
Heller Avatar
January 9, 2023 at 8:08 PM
This was beautiful and moved me as I read it. Wonderful words. ~Mara~
Inman Avatar
January 10, 2023 at 6:33 AM
Hi Mara, thank you for your kind comment. This is one of my favorites that I have written. It is nice to see that it comes back to life on occasion. Thank you again.
Daniel Avatar
December 7, 2020 at 1:03 AM
Such a mesmerising write, James, great personification:)
Inman Avatar
December 7, 2020 at 6:08 AM
Hi Jo, thanks for the nice comment. Hope you're well. Merry Christmas!
Escamilla Avatar
June 22, 2020 at 2:26 AM
This reminds me of early morning mist evaporating in the sun. This is lovely James.
Inman Avatar
June 22, 2020 at 7:39 AM
Thank you Andi, it is exactly that plus more. There is almost always deeper meaning when I write. I was driving a boat down a small canal in Disney World.
Dietrich Avatar
May 31, 2020 at 5:47 PM
I see the bottom one on your list you just made is one I already saw AND faved! I am really short on time and feel bad I can't look to see if your other nine poems are ones I saw before. I hope in time I can check all that out. have a wonderful Sunday, Ralph.
Inman Avatar
May 31, 2020 at 6:24 PM
Hi Andrea, thank you for stopping by. You have read all but the first three.
Gauthier Avatar
April 21, 2020 at 9:57 AM
Awesome poem, James. Loved the imagery and emotion. Vivid imagery.
Inman Avatar
April 21, 2020 at 11:18 AM
In addition to the comment left on the contest page, this poem was strongly influenced by a beautiful sight while driving a boat down one of the canals in Disney World. It was about 5:30am and the sun was just rising during winter, about 55F degrees and the sun caused the mist in the water to form eddies all around the boat that seemed to be reaching for the sky. Thank you, Line.
Sergi Avatar
May 7, 2019 at 8:04 AM
James, I am in awe how each line you created made this poem a master piece. you can always look back on this one that will spark all the future poems. Congratulations!
Inman Avatar
May 7, 2019 at 9:49 AM
Thank you so much for the wonderful comment Ralph.
De Beaulieu Avatar
February 23, 2019 at 5:30 PM
Hello James Inman,A fabulous poem. Have a nice evening my friend.
Inman Avatar
February 24, 2019 at 9:20 PM
Hi Darlene! Hope you're well. Thank you for the lovely comment.
Capitano Avatar
April 7, 2017 at 4:26 AM
Superb, James! A mosaic of metaphors held together by images that strike the heart.
Inman Avatar
April 7, 2017 at 9:05 AM
Thanks for the great comment Phil.
Breedt Avatar
April 4, 2017 at 12:39 AM
James whoa . The descriptions are off the page man. This is so cleverly constructed and I exceptionally beautiful. The fierce loneliness reaches saturation in every blade of grass. My first visit and am I well pleased. Congrats for reaching no 2 best poems list. What an achièvement
Inman Avatar
April 4, 2017 at 7:27 AM
Jannie, thank you for such a kind comment. You definitely need to visit again, lol.
Cries Avatar
April 2, 2017 at 11:36 AM
Incredible ink
Inman Avatar
April 2, 2017 at 3:53 PM
Thanks for the great comment.
Teagan Avatar
March 27, 2017 at 10:50 AM
Wow! This is really amazing personification... really beautiful. I'm in awe.
Inman Avatar
March 27, 2017 at 10:57 AM
Hi Becca, Thank you for your beautiful comment.
Dietrich Avatar
March 22, 2017 at 6:05 PM
I have a personification of fog that got me a lot of faves in the past but wow, if you had lots of readers for this one, I bet this would get a lot of faves, more than I ever got with MY misty poem!!
Inman Avatar
March 23, 2017 at 8:23 AM
Thank you sweet Andrea, always there to encourage me. Not only is your poetry a favorite of mine but so are you.
Dietrich Avatar
March 22, 2017 at 6:04 PM
OMG, as Armand says below here (Maurice Yvonne) This is AMAZING. FAVE from me. How did I ever miss this one?
Yvonne Avatar
March 13, 2017 at 2:20 PM
It has all been said. An amazing piece of poetry. A great read. Thank you.
Inman Avatar
March 15, 2017 at 9:56 AM
Thank you again.
Hamilton Avatar
March 13, 2017 at 11:57 AM
This is stunning imagery James, one of your best I think, has to be a 7 and a fave, this is a top ten poem for sure!
Inman Avatar
March 15, 2017 at 9:58 AM
I don't know how to respond to such a great comment, except thank you.
La France Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 9:14 PM
James congratulations on potd with this beautifully penned poem ~
Inman Avatar
March 13, 2017 at 5:32 AM
Hi BW, thanks for the visit.
Sands Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 4:39 PM
Wow This poem is excellent! and a Fav. Congratulations :)
Inman Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 6:22 PM
Thank you Heidi. :')
Wanter Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 3:42 PM
What superlative may I use? Astounding, Gorgeous? Certainly a fav and 7+++
Inman Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 4:20 PM
Good words! lol. Thank you.
O.J. Hunt Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 12:17 PM
A splendid pen here indeed(!) A wondrous read and I really enjoyed this masterpiece. Congrats on POTD and I have to fave this unique gem:-) All the best James and keep on penning!
Inman Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 4:12 PM
Keith, thank you for the great comment. You're very kind.
Bennett Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 10:47 AM
Oh my James !! Simply stunning !! Congrats ~~~~~ Jeanie ~~~~ xoxo
Inman Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 11:20 AM
Jeanie, thank you so kindly.
Andresen Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 9:09 AM
- A truly wonderful poem, James - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. ... well deserved - a 7 - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Inman Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 9:36 AM
Thank you Anne-Lise
Krampe Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 7:50 AM
Stunning imagery - I love what you did with this personification. Congrats on POTD, James. A 7
Inman Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 8:07 AM
Thank you for your kind words Agnes.
Barden Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 6:47 AM
I love the ethereal and whimsical, and this is both with a haunting mystery - it piques the imagination, and that, along with emotions, is what poetry is about for me. Wonderful work, and well-chosen for POTD. Congrats - keep up the great work! - Greg Barden
Inman Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 7:45 AM
Thanks for the kind comment Greg.
Ricci Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 6:03 AM
Good Morning. I had to return just to say congratulations to you and your most stunning entry. You are both deserving. Congratulations
Inman Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 8:06 AM
Good morning Lisa. Thank you.
Asuncion Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 4:11 AM
Interesting poem... congrats on being chosen...
Inman Avatar
March 12, 2017 at 4:48 AM
Thank you Bernard.
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