Parallel

Parallel

Evening arrived scattering snowflakes,
I sought a solitary
Path
Through winter’s barren woods
Made magical this night
With glittering snow
Gracing every empty branch
Each twig
In the muffled silence of a downy dusk
And, thinking that I walked
Enfolded in the snowy twilight,
Only with myself,
I overlooked the footprints
Slowly walking 
Side by side
With my own –
Unnoticed in the rhapsody
Of the winter’s stormy
Forest celebration
Until
The path uncurled around a curve
Revealing in the gathering dusk
Another traveler,
Familiar to my heart,
Plodding
Through the windblown drifts
Bent,
Stooping beneath a heavy burden
Slipping side to side
With every step
Until the baggage
Pulled
The bearer to the snowbound path –
A solitary figure
Captured in the jealous grip of gravity - 
And so I left my reveries,
My path,
Crossing through the unmarked snow,
The snowy wall,
Between us
To lift the burden
Of my companion in the twilight
To follow in the footsteps –
In silence - 
And
Knowing 
I could not lead upon this path,
Nor walk within the chambers of another heart,
But only trace the tracks
Outlining the journey of my friend
In this brief moment of time and stars
Beneath a darkening sky
Till we would walk in parallel
Again.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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12
Coon Avatar
March 7, 2020 at 5:38 PM
Quite nice, Sam. Perhaps a recognition of your common Nature? Charles
Kauffman Avatar
March 8, 2020 at 7:02 PM
Thank you Charles for your visit and your message. Yes! I share a special friendship with the friend in this poem!
Coon Avatar
March 7, 2020 at 5:40 PM
Quite nice, Sam. Perhaps a recognition of your common Nature? Charles
Staton Avatar
March 6, 2020 at 7:47 AM
A FAV! Loved it! I especially liked the last eight lines... I could not lead upon this path, Nor walk within the chambers of another heart, But only trace the tracks Outlining the journey of my friend In this brief moment of time and stars Beneath a darkening sky Till we would walk in parallel Again.
Marcum Wong Avatar
February 19, 2020 at 11:59 AM
I am so happy to see this worthy poem chosen as POTD Sam. Congratulations! You already know by my Fave how much I loved it! xxoo
Kauffman Avatar
February 19, 2020 at 11:02 PM
Thank you my aloha friend! And to think I almost didn't enter it - so glad I did. It seems to have touched many folks.
Messina Avatar
February 16, 2020 at 2:19 PM
A wonderful poem, Sam. So well written...Congratulations on POTD. Have a lovely weekend. Charlie
Kauffman Avatar
February 17, 2020 at 10:59 PM
Hi Charlie! Thank you for your compliment and congratulations on the POTD! This poem is very special to me. Busy weekend! Hope you had a wonderful weekend. Blessings.
Pandit Avatar
February 16, 2020 at 7:03 AM
Belated congrats on poem of the day Sam--awesome poetry--so well deserved!
Kauffman Avatar
February 17, 2020 at 11:00 PM
Thank you Vijay. This was quite a wonderful surprise!
Watt Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 9:03 PM
Sam, a well-deserved POTD for this heartrending write. Congratulations ~ John
Kauffman Avatar
February 17, 2020 at 11:06 PM
Thank you so much John. Your messages are always appreciated! Written for a special friend who lost her mom.
Nicole Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 8:01 PM
My eyes are misty. This tugs deeply at my heart. The journey of your friend- has ended. In this life. Forever to live in the next. Your thoughts caress gently around me. Congratulations Sam, on Poem of the Day. ~ Brandy
Kauffman Avatar
March 12, 2020 at 11:08 PM
Thank you Brandy for your sweet words and congratulations! They are most appreciated. Stay healthy! Have a great weekend.
Ibeh Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 3:36 PM
Back with congratulations for scoring a p.o.t.d. win with this masterwork, Sam!:-)
Kauffman Avatar
March 12, 2020 at 11:00 PM
Hi Edward, just now getting back to you to thank you for your congratulations and continued support! Stay healthy my friend.
Radhakrishna Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 3:22 PM
Congrats on POTD!! Well deserved! As mentioned hints of Robert Frost! Whose woods these are I think I know, His house is in the village though... Love your style!
Kauffman Avatar
March 6, 2020 at 10:44 AM
Hi Krish, Thank you. As I said to John, to have a remote echo of Robert Frost is truly a an honor especially since this poem was written for a friend when she lost her mother. Frost is one of my favorites.
Lawless Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 3:05 PM
I hear the faint strains of Robert Frost in these echoing sentiments. Beautifully done
Kauffman Avatar
March 6, 2020 at 10:41 AM
Hi John, thank you for your words. I am highly honored by your compliment. For this poem to have a similarity to Robert Frost is a high compliment indeed.
Goldsmith Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 2:36 PM
Congratulations on your POTD. "Beautiful" Enjoy your weekend.........
Kauffman Avatar
March 12, 2020 at 11:09 PM
Thank you Paula. Always wonderful to have you visit. Stay healthy friend!
Andresen Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 1:39 PM
- ... wow... excellent poem, Sam :) - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d. :) - // Anne-Lise :)
Sands Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 11:11 AM
A great poem! Congratulations for POTD :)
Michael Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 10:53 AM
I like the concept of, "walking in parallel" Congratulations Sam on POTD
Adams Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 7:42 AM
I loved this one on the first read so happy to see it displayed to read again, Congratulations on your POTD Sam... hugs
May Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 7:37 AM
Very nicely penned, Congrats on POTD
One Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 7:25 AM
Great choice for POTD!
Koplin Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 6:49 AM
Congratulations! That was absolutely beautiful.
Gauthier Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 6:41 AM
Congrats on your POTD, Sam.
Warrior Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 6:40 AM
A lovely write my friend...thoughtful and spiritual...Congrats!! on your POTD!!...all the best for 2020 from the Wingster...^WW^ :o)
Ifeanyichukwu Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 5:47 AM
Thoughtful thoughts for a companion, well penned Sam, congratulations on your POTD.
Cunningham Avatar
February 15, 2020 at 1:08 AM
Well composed Sam, love the imagery in your verse. Congratulations on POTD honours. Have a great weekend. Tom
Watt Avatar
February 14, 2020 at 2:36 PM
Amazing write, Sam. Quite a journey of lending a friendly hand in the snow. I particularly liked "Captured in the jealous grip of gravity". Well done and congrats!
Ibeh Avatar
February 14, 2020 at 4:22 AM
Quite a stellar write, Sam! You're on a roll with these first place finishes:-) Congrats on your first place win!
Adams Avatar
February 14, 2020 at 4:13 AM
Such an exquisite write. This one is heart touching and beautiful Sam.. excellent metaphor and images. Love this congratulations on your win :) hugs
12
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