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Rubicon Crossing

I trudged to levy height, stood upon the soggy ground
with serious intentions that an answer would be found
To the river's rapidly flowing current, I confided my woes
of troubling things that had me in the doldrums of lows

Haunting problems, compelling me to leave and move on
Leading me to this river as if I were crossing the Rubicon
It's not my nature to feel caught between stay or take flight
but in desperation I stood, entreating the river of my plight

Willows on the bank, limbs swaying in the wind, listening— 
weeping for my addled mind? In moonlight, tears glistening?
Do they whisper to the river what they'd suggest to me?
If I cross the bridge, then burned behind me it shall always be

My fate lies not on the telling of tree leaves or a river's flow
Two options I discern— should I cross the Rubicon and go?
Should I submit my heart and soul to the dreams of another
and live with wondering, "What if..." Only to die smothered?

It's the moment of truth — a decision too long have I delayed
Perhaps into the roiling river current, my steps should wade
By doing so, I'd avoid making the wrong choice of tribulations
having no need for explanations for my grievous lamentations

Copyright © Lin Lane | Year Posted 2025

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Paula Goldsmith Date: 5/18/2025 10:31:00 AM Congratulations on your win. I enjoyed reading your powerful "Rubicon Crossing" write. Great Picture.... A wonderful ending. Have a blessed day with your win....... Login to Reply

Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/7/2025 8:11:00 AM Dearest Lin, So well inked that pivotal “Rubicon moment” and yet with such honesty and vulnerability. The river becomes more than a boundary for it’s the weight of choice, the ache of standing at a life-altering threshold. I truly felt the tension, the longing for guidance, and the courage it takes to face the unknown. I think about that chasmatic journey where every step forward is both risk and renewal. Excelsior!! Spring Blessings, My Dearest Lin, Daniel Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 5/7/2025 8:21:00 AM Good morning, Daniel and thank you for fully grasping the angst and tension struggling in the mind when a life altering decision is to be made. Destiny is ours to follow, but the choice of paths is ours to make. We cannot know the right one from the wrong until after choosing but live with the direction... either way.

Joe Dimino Date: 5/7/2025 7:12:00 AM Beautiful writing, Lin. Yes, cross the bridge...the heart is a resilient traveler -- defeated only when one pauses...yet, full life can be jogging in place. One need go no further. No one can out pass the heart. Brilliant poetry! You get a FAV! Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 5/7/2025 7:42:00 AM Thank you very sincerely, Joe. Thank goodness it is resilient, despite the word, 'heartbreak,' it heals at least to some wounds, but scars will always remain.

Ink Empress Date: 5/7/2025 1:23:00 AM Dear linnersz, After reading this beautiful and eloquently woven poem i cant help but think of so many living in comfort zones too afraid of the unknown. I am not sur what the title means; i have to look it up but i believe you must have defined it so well here! I love the metaphors and imagery and descriptive nature of your words! I also love "Should I submit my heart and soul to the dreams of another and live with wondering, "What if..." Only to die smothered?" Soul hitting really! Pleasure reading you today! Best wishes! Sending you light always Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 5/7/2025 7:41:00 AM Metaphors and imagery— backbones of poetry. Thank you for feeling the inner workings of these lines, Ink. One should never settle if there's a chance for happiness in life.

Quoth Theraven Date: 5/6/2025 9:29:00 PM Hello Lin, "Alea iacta est" said Caesar at the crossing, the die is cast. This poem resonates with a message growing in importance with each passing day. Feelings take a new form in crossroads, force us to take notice of all bridges burned. -Richard Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 5/6/2025 11:56:00 PM Hello, Richard. Decisions made, whether right or wrong, have results that we must live by. Not all of them will prove to have been correct, but we cannot cross a river once the bridge is gone. Thank you for reading me. I always enjoy your comments. ;-)

Tom Cunningham Date: 5/6/2025 12:10:00 PM What a dilemma Lin, we often have to make difficult decisions in life and hope that they are the right ones, but once you cross the rubicon there's no going back. Tom Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 5/6/2025 12:43:00 PM Yes, we do and hopefully that third idea is never a viable option. Thanks, Tom.