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Tethered By Life

Tethered by life's boundless gyre; doltish in the headlong plunge. Swirling in its turbid mire; mock demur feigns to expunge. Inchoate thoughts swell pathos' rosters; errant guides whose hack beguiles. Pay scant regard to such impostors; debar with glee their rueful smiles. Then peerless grow your firm resolve; abjure ego its tumescence. Ascend the arc and thus evolve; render glacial your senescence. Else succumb as prisoner of your thought; Fashioned into something you are not.

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Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/11/2021 5:01:00 PM

and a very belated congrats on a win a few years back!!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/11/2021 5:00:00 PM

wow, you used some really nifty vocabulary here. I had to look up one word to see what it meant! So profound, Mark. I think it would certainly be worthy of the anthology. Tell me which poems of yours get in . Can't wait to know!!

Robert Lindley

Date: 6/23/2018 11:55:00 AM

Written with tremendous insight, depth and truth my friend. To write sonnets in this level is the mark of a master poet, IMHO. A gift given the reader .... A fav....

Elaine George

Date: 1/12/2018 10:55:00 AM

Congratulations on your win, Mark! The last two lines sum it up so powerfully. Elaine Reply

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/12/2018 12:01:00 PM

Elaine, I appreciate your comment--it lends needed encouragement to my work. I had hoped the conclusion would convey a message. So nice to hear it did.

Lu Loo

Date: 1/11/2018 10:45:00 AM

such a profound sonnet, congrats :)-luloo

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/12/2018 12:03:00 PM

Lolol, how nice to see your avatar grace my page and to learn of your appreciation for my profundity.

Susan Ashley

Date: 1/10/2018 9:06:00 PM

A really deep and thought provoking sonnet, Mark. A great title and wonderful use of language. Beautifully expressed! Congratulations on your wonderful win.. Warmest wishes ~Susan

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/12/2018 12:08:00 PM

Susan, you were so kind to leave such remarks with me. I struggle to find new ways of expressing things. Nice to hear when I succeed.

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 1/10/2018 5:57:00 PM

Wow! This sonnet is as brilliant as the poet who created it! I loved it Mark! Congratulations on your win! : )

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/12/2018 2:10:00 PM

Thanks so very much Connie. Remarkable compliment from someone who is so supportive of my work.

John Hamilton

Date: 1/10/2018 2:58:00 PM

What a vocab you used here Mark, a great sonnet, congrats on a fine placement!

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/12/2018 2:11:00 PM

Thanks for hosting the contest. I appreciate the placement, John.

Cona Adams

Date: 11/28/2017 10:29:00 AM

Nice Sonnet, Mark. Good to find a well written traditional form.

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/12/2018 2:15:00 PM

The traditional form is what often plays in my head, and I'm glad when I can write it down. Much better when you comment, Kona.

Scott Thirtyseven

Date: 1/21/2017 9:49:00 AM

Great title. And a piece of art to follow. I see that it has been awarded in a contest, wise judge.

Mark Peterson
Date: 4/30/2017 3:13:00 PM

Scott, thanks so much for your kind and appreciative remarks. I value your support of my work highly.

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 1/10/2017 6:52:00 PM

I see this placed in a contest. Congratulations Mark. If we could view the beauty of our souls, the ego would be a nonentity. Love the message in this piece Mark 7 ; )

Mark Peterson
Date: 1/10/2017 7:46:00 PM

Glad you enjoyed this poem and its message. I try very hard to say things new and meaningful. It's hard to do and so gratifying when someone I respect has a kind thing to say.

Adeniji Toluwalope Gideon

Date: 12/26/2016 11:52:00 PM

Beautiful! I love your choice of expressions. Thank you for sharing this. A 7, no doubt.

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/27/2016 4:46:00 AM

Your comments honor me deeply, and I love seeing new faces on my page. This also means I have some new poetry to read on your page.

Joseph May

Date: 12/26/2016 2:05:00 PM

Great write and win Mark..Congrats

Mark Peterson
Date: 12/26/2016 11:41:00 PM

Joseph, thanks so much. I can't tell you how much I've appreciated your support of my work over the years, even now when my productivity has been so constrained on account of my circumstance.