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Ruin Gazing

Drawn by subtle intuition
I follow a winding path
into the heart of the woods,
emerging in an open glade
where feeble sunlight falls
upon a moss covered wall.
Isomorphic intimacy holds
me in a trance; latching
the present to the past, as
nostalgia flirts with mixed
emotions. Resting my hand 
on the stone slabs I caress
the rough texture with affinity
sensing the agony of collapsed
aspirations, decayed dreams, 
and the utter helplessness 
of the irreversible.

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This poem has been published in a PoetrySoup Anthology:
“Reflections on the Important Things” Nov 2023	 (print) 

"Wall in the Woods" contest 
Sponsored by Craig Cornish
        Placed 3rd
© 11th October 2020

Copyright © Paul Callus | Year Posted 2020

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Carole Duet Date: 11/21/2023 10:25:00 PM Very touching. I can see the trees, the wall, the moss and the tombstone and I feel the sadness. Congratulations on your placement in the contest, Paul. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 11/23/2023 4:18:00 AM Thank you Carole for the feedback and congrats. Your visit is truly appreciated. ~ Best regards // paul

Andrea Dietrich Date: 2/16/2021 1:28:00 PM wow, you did so well with this one I had not seen before. It's a shame if it never garnered a win. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 2/21/2021 3:35:00 AM Thank you, Andrea. In fact it did garner a most welcome 3rd place in Craig's contest. Warm regards // paul

Freddie Robinson Jr. Date: 11/10/2020 10:22:00 AM Such prescient thoughts of elapsed time beauty, Paul. The pastoral insights you reveal about nature's granular movement is a spiritual journey guided by pulse purity. You're a very unique poet, dear friend. Deep muse ink splash!! Love and more love always. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 11/10/2020 12:33:00 PM Thank you for your deep insightful comments, Freddie. Always a pleasure to have you stopping by, my friend. Hope you're keeping well. Best regards // paul

Michael Tor Date: 11/7/2020 4:14:00 AM Paul your rendition of of a past based on an ancient stone is superbly done my friend. Congratulations on your win... Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 11/10/2020 2:18:00 AM Thank you for the feedback and congrats, my friend. Have a nice day! // paul

Quoth Theraven Date: 11/6/2020 7:13:00 AM Paul, You've found something special in the 'moss covered wall's of this poem. You reach a certain age and feel the mortality in the masonry. Of course I had to look up the word 'Isomorphic'. Days may pass, but there's still excitement in new discovery. So thanks for that. -Richard Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 11/10/2020 2:12:00 AM I like your insightful contribution, Richard...thank you for a pleasant visit. Regards // paul

Probir Gupta Date: 10/31/2020 7:35:00 AM Strikingly impressive metaphor, Paul. A joy to read. Thanks for sharing in Facebook. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 11/10/2020 2:05:00 AM Thank you, Probir. Craig's contests are always challenging and they definitely provide inspiration. Regards // paul

Malabika Ray Choudhury Date: 10/25/2020 5:50:00 PM Dear Poet, this is an awesome poem! I am mesmerized with these lines - affinity sensing the agony of collapsed aspirations, decayed dreams, and the utter helplessness of the irreversible. Best wishes, Mala Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/29/2020 12:55:00 PM Your complimentary remarks are awesome, and they are very much appreciated, Mala...thank you. Warm regards // paul

Alexis Y. Date: 10/24/2020 10:51:00 AM Hi Paul, You’ve such a deep heartfelt write. The latter portion of your well written write tugged at the heartstrings. Congratulations on a well deserved win. Have a wonderful day-Alexis Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/29/2020 12:53:00 PM Thank you for the lovely feedback and congrats, Alexis. Good afternoon:) Regards // paul

Supraja Kannan Date: 10/20/2020 6:59:00 AM Such a deep poetry... I loved it... congratulations on your well deserved win... Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/20/2020 11:20:00 AM Thank you for liking, and for the congrats, Supraja. Best regards // paul

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 10/18/2020 6:52:00 AM Brilliant my friend, the cottage with its moss covered wall is nostalgic, but you sense ' the agony of collapsed aspirations, decayed dreams, and the utter helplessness of the irreversible' Congratulations on your wonderful win my friend, a very vividly poetically painted picture, and thought inspired. Warm regards and hugs, Jennifer. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/19/2020 2:08:00 PM Thank you, Jenny. You always have a good look inside my poems :) Warm regards & hugs my friend // paul

Eve Roper Date: 10/17/2020 7:18:00 PM So well expressed, Paul, the ruins of the past. Congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/19/2020 1:14:00 PM Thank you for reading, commenting and for the congrats, Eve. Regards & Hugs // paul

Kim Rodrigues Date: 10/17/2020 8:05:00 AM I can see in my mind’s eye your hand ruminating over the structure. Congratulations, Paul! Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/18/2020 3:04:00 PM Thank you, Kim. I truly enjoyed your winning entry, too. Regards // paul

Linda Alice Fowler Date: 10/17/2020 6:51:00 AM The last line is beautiful, and I love this: "Isomorphic intimacy..." Well done Paul. Congratulations on the win! Linda Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/18/2020 3:03:00 PM Thank you, Linda. Hope you enjoyed the weekend! Regards // paul

Jenna Logan Date: 10/17/2020 3:56:00 AM A melancholy winner, Paul. I sense the reverence. Congratulations. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/18/2020 2:36:00 PM Thank you, Jenna; your fitting comments are appreciated. Regards // pau

Krish Radhakrishna Date: 10/16/2020 11:55:00 PM This is so well done Paul! Congrats on your fine win! The feelings an old ruin can evoke! masterful!! Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/18/2020 2:35:00 PM Thank you, Krish. Enjoyed your winning entry, too. Regards // paul

Sam Kauffman Date: 10/16/2020 9:31:00 PM Ruins truly speak of "aspirations," "nostalgia," "agony collapsed." The "subtle intuition" had me from the beginning as the the ruin spoke its reality and its agony to you. Wonderfully written, Paul. Congratulations on your top placement, Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/18/2020 2:24:00 PM I love your critique, Sam! Thank you. Best regards // paul

Lindsay Laurie Date: 10/16/2020 4:13:00 PM Hello Paul … a much enjoyed poem Paul that paints a picture and thoughts about what this wall could have represented before it was reclaimed - thanks Paul - Lindsay Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/18/2020 2:22:00 PM Thank you for stopping by, Lindsay. I just had a good laugh reading your latest witty poem :) Regards // paul

Susan Ashley Date: 10/13/2020 6:09:00 PM The spirit of wistful solitude is beautifully expressed in the intimate and textured imagery of your poem, Paul. Your last four lines of aching emotion is exquisite and moved me deeply. Best wishes for a win and warmest wishes and hugs for you, my dear friend.. ~Susan Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/15/2020 10:52:00 AM It is a joy to read and savour your beautiful feedback, Susan. Thank you for your support and encouragement. ~ Warm regards & Hugs, my friend. // paul

Tahira Parveen Date: 10/13/2020 1:16:00 PM Very descriptive poem and picture to match. A good write Paul. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/13/2020 3:32:00 PM Thank you, Tahira. Pleased to see you posting again. Regards // paul

Paula Goldsmith Date: 10/13/2020 10:23:00 AM A "Wonderful" write and picture. If only old places could talk and tell their stories. I wonder what they would say???? Have a wonderful day writing away................... Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/13/2020 3:31:00 PM I am sure they would have many stories to tell us, Paula! Thank you for stopping by, my friend. Regards // paul

Judy Ball Date: 10/12/2020 10:13:00 PM Beautifully worded with wonderful description and the pic is perfection. Loved it. God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving. JB Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/13/2020 3:10:00 PM Thank you on all counts, Judy. Hope yours will be a happy Thanksgiving! Regards & Blessings // paul

Brandy Nicole Date: 10/12/2020 9:17:00 PM "Intimacy holds me in a trance, nostalgia flirts with mixed emotions" Somehow I am drawn to these two statements. I am sure you knew that I would be. Your words are captivating and haunting, all at the same time. Simply breathtaking. You leave me in awe. ~ Brandy Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/13/2020 12:52:00 PM I love your lovely sincere feedback, Brandy...thank you! Your support is truly appreciated. Warm regards // paul

Ilene Bauer Date: 10/12/2020 2:11:00 PM oh, this is so so good, paul! i love everything about this poem - the words you've chosen and the connection to the past with the "utter helplessness of the irreversible" - now THAT's poetry! Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/13/2020 12:50:00 PM Thank you for your generous complimentary comments, Ilene...I'm lost for words. ~ Best regards // paul

Tom Cunningham Date: 10/12/2020 1:31:00 PM Loved the imagery in your verse Paul, when I come across an old ruin I try and imagine who lived there and what sort of lives they led. Hope you're well and good luck in the contest. Tom Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/13/2020 12:44:00 PM Pleased you found it to your liking, my friend. I'm keeping well, thank you, though I am too busy at present to dedicate much time to Soup. ~ Regards // paul

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 10/12/2020 11:08:00 AM Wow! This is stunning, Paul. Love the way you describe the feelings you had upon viewing this special site. (There is one here that looks very similar.) You had great inspiration for the contest. I think this entry will be hard to beat! Hugs, carolyn Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 10/13/2020 12:42:00 PM Thank you, Carolyn...your faith is much appreciated. I hope this is what Craig is after. Regards & Hugs // paul

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