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On Leaving my State versus if I Had Stayed

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for Hilo Poet's Contrast Poetry Contest

It tried to pattern my poem's form after Robert Frost's, 'The Road Not Taken'.

I left my state to study afar. A church college lured me to go west where it’s so dry and no fireflies are. But I was young and followed no star that could lead me to what would be best. I left with no really firm goal. A psychology major I’d thought to pursue. My apathetic soul got off that bus. A different role I took when a new bus I caught! Off this new bus, I found myself flung onto a path I had never thought of - to ESL teaching I then swung. Also I fell into marriage quite young and always lived far from kinfolk I love. What if I had never moved away? Was my aimlessness part of my fate? Would I be happier living today where all through my youth I used to play? One can’t know what one can’t recreate.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




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Date: 7/13/2024 4:01:00 AM
'One can’t know what one can’t recreate' so well written, beautiful write dear poet, rhymes clink cool! Congratulations, Happy writing.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/14/2024 8:28:00 PM
Thanks, Thriveni.
Date: 7/13/2024 3:05:00 AM
No back of the bus seat for one whose future hold. Mahalo, my friend, with your participation in the contest and win, Aloha, William
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/14/2024 8:28:00 PM
Thanks so much, William
Date: 6/27/2024 1:08:00 AM
This is a nicely rhymed and metered poem, something I appreciate. It takes time and effort to get those right. I like that this poem so well illustrates that the choices we make affect our entire lives, but we have to wonder if we were predestined to do certain things and become a certain thing.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/27/2024 10:52:00 AM
thanks, I probably should have chosen something more easy to contrast, but this is what came to me. I think of this sometimes and wonder if life would have been better in my home state.
Date: 6/26/2024 6:39:00 PM
Interesting 'journey' there, Andrea... Did you know that I taught ESL for 30 years? (Don't miss it a bit either. lol). :) gw
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/27/2024 10:52:00 AM
you don't miss ESL?? I guess you didn't work at a nice school like mine. haha
Date: 6/25/2024 2:34:00 PM
Destiny called me to leace humic, crime ridden Chicago, You know enough about me unless you know I am so glad I moved. Where did.. Everything once I got here it was like one group falling on another exact right places. I’m glad I love the Windy City. Good idea for your contest and I’m glad that your life turned out the way it did sounds good to me Good idea the frost form. Good lck. Pangie Pangie.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/27/2024 10:53:00 AM
thanks, Pangie. I think our fate is pre-known by God. We do what He expects we will do!
Date: 6/25/2024 2:13:00 PM
Destiny took you on a different path, it's tough when family are not close by.
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/27/2024 10:54:00 AM
yes, it was the biggest concern for me.
Date: 6/25/2024 11:14:00 AM
So many times we all go through those moments where we ponder, so many what ifs. Psychology major, something in common of interest, for you and i soul aunt! Well i did psych major and i always wanted to do it. No wonder you are a very kind and empathetic person that likes to show interest in others. Its always an engaging poem from you, and what i really love about his poem is the cadence! Such a beautiful rhythm! Pleasure reading your sincere thoughts, you are very brave: best wishes
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/25/2024 1:06:00 PM
yes, despite our differences, we also have a lot in common, sweetie. I probably did not do this contest exactly right, but I couldn't really think what else to contrast that mattered to me. Thanks for your comment.
Date: 6/25/2024 5:15:00 AM
A nice take, Andrea:)
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/25/2024 1:08:00 PM
thanks, Joanna
Date: 6/24/2024 7:07:00 PM
who knows ? you would have an other life, better not to regret, a very concerning ( I have same questionning often) and touching poem, thank poet
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Date: 6/24/2024 6:04:00 PM
We are who we are along the way. We are shaped as we go. That is just the way. shrug…shrug. xx
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/25/2024 1:07:00 PM
yes, things shape our ideas, that's for sure. It makes me wonder how I would stand with certain opinions I now have regarding life and the world if I had stayed back in the midwest.
Date: 6/24/2024 2:31:00 PM
You bring up an interesting point, Andrea, in a very poetic way. Yes, we can never know how one decision would have changed our lives in so many ways…
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/24/2024 4:29:00 PM
Thanks, Ilene.
Date: 6/24/2024 1:19:00 PM
Reminds me of the movie, sliding doors.. nicely done Andrea..
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Andrea Dietrich
Date: 6/24/2024 4:30:00 PM
Yeah I heard of that movie. Is it the one that lets the viewer on Netflix determine different directions the story will go?

Book: Reflection on the Important Things