Sam Kauffman Poet Free verse

Cul-De-Sac

Cul-de-Sac 

Quick steps slow to hesitate
The sudden curve of a straight white line
Into the mists of detour
 Lined with haunting facades
  Of blurred addresses
   And faded street signs
Where echoes of curiosity bluster -
 Magic or madness -
In proverbs of warning about blind alleys -
 Mayhem or mystic -
Bending the lane
  Like the nautilus inner ear
A flat arc where light searches 
For the sacred
Past faceless abodes lining this curlicue
 With a come-on to remain
Yet the heart knows to follow 
The flamboyant contours,
  Like angel’s wings,
Into the loop – not a dead end
But a recoiling boomerang
Leaving knots of doubt behind
 Arms open wide to inquisitive's marathon
Then ride the hairpin rail out of gossamer inkiness
Leaving behind the rags of repetition
Into a rosy borning road.

2-21-23
Contest: This or That 
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh
Theme chosen – Cul-de-Sac

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Valsa George March 8, 2023 at 8:35 PM As expected, you have won the first place with your 'stunning poem'... (in the words of Edward.) I too borrow that expression. Congratulations, dear friend.

Edward Ibeh March 6, 2023 at 7:32 AM Congratulations on your 1st place win with this stunning poem, Sam!:-) I loved it! Sam Kauffman March 6, 2023 at 9:17 AM Edward, I am deeply grateful to you for the theme of this contest and your sponsorship. The first place was a complete, yet delightful, surprise. There were so many wonderful winning poems. It is an honor to stand on the podium with the other talented winning poets. Thank you for this honor and for your support of PS. Blessings to you my friend as we prepare for the celebrations of Easter!!

Vijay Pandit March 4, 2023 at 6:33 AM BIG congrats on your TOP win, Sam. Wonderfully descriptive, metaphoric poem. Sam Kauffman March 6, 2023 at 9:09 AM Vijay, I so appreciate your congratulations and your wonderful feedback. Many thanks coming your way along with blessings!

Linda Alice Fowler March 3, 2023 at 12:42 PM Such a deep and well-thought reflection on the theme. You gave Edward exactly what he was looking for in imagery and metaphor. Wonderful writing for a well-deserved win Sam! Congratulations! :) Sam Kauffman March 6, 2023 at 9:07 AM Thank you so much Linda. Edward's theme was a wonderful source of inspiration and gave me the opportunity to think about a cul-de-sac. Often, when I walk our dog, we walk in a cul-de-sac close to home. I will think of it very differently from now on. Hope you are well. Blessings to you!

Sotto Poet March 3, 2023 at 8:48 AM Sam, It's no surprise that Edward chose this poem to reflect the very best of the contest; my sincerest congratulations go out to you on your well-deserved win. Sam Kauffman March 3, 2023 at 9:38 AM I am so honored Lasaad! Edward's contests always make me reach more deeply into the theme with wonderful moments of contemplation! Thank you my friend for your ever present support and congratulations! Sending you bunches of blessings!

Andrea Dietrich February 24, 2023 at 9:07 PM Wow. Edward is gonna love all that imagery you gave to the theme! Sam Kauffman March 3, 2023 at 9:41 AM Andrea, thank you! You were right! What an honor his placement is. I had such fun thinking about a cul-de-sac, and its implications, then putting those thoughts into words! Thank you so much for your constant support and wonderful feedback!

Joseph May February 23, 2023 at 7:01 PM You did a great job wih the theme word Sam, best for a top win.. Sam Kauffman March 3, 2023 at 10:31 AM Joseph, thank you so much! Edward's theme was such a wonderful invitation to explore this idea of life's cul-de-sacs. I am so appreciative of your feedback and lovely compliment. Blessings!

Stephan McBride February 22, 2023 at 11:34 AM Amen,. Very inspiring poem , indeed many blind guides out there saying this is the way that is the way, blind guides leading the blind into a ditch,. Only through Christ to leave those dirty rags of repetition behind to walk in peace of the soul on the new born lighted road : ). May God bless, comfort, guide and fill you with His peace, love, spirit and joy in abundance

Joanna Daniel February 22, 2023 at 3:38 AM Wow! You reign, Sam, this is so deep:) Sam Kauffman March 3, 2023 at 10:33 AM Jo, thank you so much! Edward provided us with such a wonderful theme! Hope you are well. Sending you blessings of straight and level roads.

Valsa George February 21, 2023 at 9:20 PM "Yet the heart knows to follow The flamboyant contours, Like angel’s wings, Into the loop – not a dead end" As the straight road suddenly presents a steep curve 'like the nautilus of the inner ear,' we become puzzled. Yet we realize that it is not a dead end and can proceed with confidence. That's life. Sometimes we feel life has come to a dead end. ...But if we dare to enter the loop, we find that a new road awaits us. Sam, your analogies are unique and beyond the imagination of the ordinary. Excellent ! Win big, my friend

Aysha Nuwas February 21, 2023 at 5:31 PM Enjoyed reading, nice poem! Sam Kauffman February 23, 2023 at 9:51 AM Thank you so much Aysha. Nice to meet you! So glad you enjoyed this poem. All the best!

Sara Kendrick February 21, 2023 at 12:44 PM I enjoyed reading this contest entry. It reads like a good contender to me for the contest. Thanks for sharing and for dropping by my page. I wonder if living in the center of a cul-de-sac would be a place with a lot of traffic or no traffic or somewhere in between. Sara Sam Kauffman February 23, 2023 at 9:50 AM Thank you so much Sara! Good question!! A great one to ponder. Would love to see what you would write on this question. Will be on the look out for your poetic creation. Have to admit this theme took awhile to flesh out but I like the results of my detour into this cul-de-sac! Sending you blessings and continued prayers.