John Lawless Poet Free verse

Poetic Breadcrumbs

Poetic breadcrumbs
Tossed into the air
Blown about by errant winds
Pecked at by bloated pigeons
Debated by chattering squirrels
And yet I sit with crumpled bag
Knowing I will return again
Replenishing the hope
That what little I offer
Is a gift for us all


The words are arguing
A mock debate
No rebuttal
A juxtapositional comparison
Of mirrored images
Seeking definition


The days weigh on me
An aged rudder struggles
To maintain a fading course
Yellowed sails doubting the breeze
Tremble as the shallows near
The landmarks seem more distant
The destination less definite


Joy remains
Yawning in the shadows
Sighing as it listens
To the chatter of life
Dancing in its memories

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Gershon Wolf August 23, 2026 at 7:55 PM That first stanza is pure gold, John.

sara Etgen-Baker August 21, 2026 at 4:48 PM your poem has a beautiful flow and is a captivating read. "poetic breadcrumbs' is the perfect metaphor. Faving.

Sotto Poet August 21, 2026 at 5:46 AM John, this poem has a unique and thoughtful imagery that captures the transient nature of thoughts and emotions. The metaphor of "poetic breadcrumbs" effectively conveys the idea of sharing small but meaningful pieces of oneself with the world, despite uncertainty.

Alison A Smith nee Howarth August 21, 2026 at 4:40 AM This is a beautifully reflective piece, John. Your opening metaphor of tossing "poetic breadcrumbs" perfectly captures the vulnerability of sharing our writing, knowing it might be scattered by the wind or casually consumed. The transition into the nautical imagery of aging—where the "aged rudder struggles" and "yellowed sails" tremble—is profoundly poignant. Yet, the concluding personification of joy "yawning in the shadows" and dancing in memories leaves the reader with a comforting sense of enduring peace. A deeply relatable and masterful use of free verse!