The Longings of An Old Man

I long to—
Walk one more time
To where the land ends, and the ocean begins
To listen expectantly for the sounds of infant waves
Grasping layers of golden sand
I long to—
Hear the fat gulls with white bellies
And ebony eyes
Floating on invisible wires
Calling for the savory morsels
Hidden inside the curled fingers of an old man
I long to—
Stand beneath the tangerine sky
Lazily descending into the cradle of the sea
Vacating heaven for the snowy celestial sphere
Hung upon Vincent’s starry canvas
Ten thousand lights scattered forever
I long to—
Be embraced by the tenebrous sea
Her loneliness engulfing me like lovers of yesterday
I long to—
Gaze beyond the past wrapped in sorrow
The years of trudging through cheerless mire
Searching for reasons without answers
Answers without questions
I long to—
Remember only moments worth remembering
A twirling montage of love and hope
And dreams
Of a time when two became one
Hearts pulsing in harmony
Minds ascending to tidal floods of ecstasy
I long to—
See your face
To walk hand in hand
To where the land ends and the ocean begins
I long to—
Do it all again
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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12
Baker Avatar
July 16, 2023 at 11:43 PM
A beautiful poem of memories of the experiences we've had in life, that we'll not forget their impact on us. It was a peaceful train of thought, you share with us,through your soothing poetry, Jim. I'm glad to see this poem recognised as one of the top 100 here at PoetrySoup. Congratulations, Bill Baker
Hirtle Avatar
August 1, 2023 at 2:16 PM
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement!
Peck Avatar
August 18, 2022 at 2:06 PM
Oh, Jim--your poem is so sad. If only we could do it all again...Congrats on POTD!
M  Avatar
August 16, 2022 at 9:15 AM
How very beautiful, heartfelt and sad. A poem straight from your heart Jim! Love it and Congratulations on your POTD honour so very well deserved. Debx
Rodrigues Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 7:36 PM
Congratulations on POTD! Fantastic imagery!
La France Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 5:02 PM
Jim, your poem is so beautifully penned, great ink and congratulations on your deserving POEM OF THE DAY honor, blessings ~Constance
Mcconnell Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 4:39 PM
Great pen Jim congratulations on the POTD, this is written with real maturity and insightfulness throughout. Blessings,Gordon
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 5:36 PM
Thank you sir!
Mccann Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 4:25 PM
This an incredible poem, Jim. I'll keep it in my favorites. Being very old myself, I can say it speaks absolute truth. Elizabeth
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 5:37 PM
Thank you very much Elizabeth.
Kendrick Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:55 PM
Old age can bring those longings but sometimes some of those longings can be filled in small ways. I enjoyed reading your POTD. Congratulations. Sara
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 4:08 PM
Thank you Sara Kendrick
Calasibetta Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 2:54 PM
Congratulations on your POTD! A beautiful glimpse of a life who would do it all again.... :)Paulette
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:32 PM
Thank you Paulette
Nicole Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 11:34 AM
Longing to "walk one more time, where the land ends, and the ocean begins." This thought curls softly around me. There's something magical and emotional about such a moment. Everything has a beginning, and then it must end. The longing in your heart is evident within your words. This is beautiful and tender, all at the same time. Congratulations Jim, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. ~ Brandy
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:32 PM
Thank you Brandy for kind words and taking the time to share your thoughts. I am looking for advance readers/reviews for my second book of poetry coming out this Fall. If you would like to help, please let me know. Jim
Kauffman Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 10:27 AM
Absolutely delightful Jim. Congratulations on your POTD. The longings of your heart and spirit are blended into a lovely poem. Blessings. I hope you get to re-visit these places of "moments worth remembering" in your life journey. Blessings.
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:33 PM
Thank you Sam
Goldsmith Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 9:34 AM
Congratulations on your P.O.T.D win. WOW!!! What a wonderful write. Your title could also be "The Longings of an Old Lady." I Love This One. Have a great/blessed day writing away....................
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:33 PM
Thank you Paula for kind words and taking the time to share your thoughts. I am looking for advance readers/reviews for my second book of poetry coming out this Fall. If you would like to help, please let me know. Jim
Slaughter Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 9:29 AM
Exquisite write, Jim. I sincerely hope you get to satisfy all those longings. And congrats on POTD.
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:34 PM
Thank you Mr. Slaughter
Lindley Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 9:15 AM
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR AMAZING POEM BEING AWARDED POTD! A wonderful creation expressing the heart and soul searching of a life lived. A definite fav.. God bless...
Lindley Avatar
August 11, 2022 at 2:32 PM
Anytime my friend. A worthy poet deserves to hear that they inspire, impress and gift treasures in ink to others. As such is the purpose in which true poets compose and gift unto this too oft dark world that we all must wade through, imho. Just shoot me a soupmail. God bless...
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:34 PM
Thank you Robert for kind words and taking the time to share your thoughts. I am looking for advance readers/reviews for my second book of poetry coming out this Fall. If you would like to help, please let me know. Jim
Cunningham Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 8:52 AM
Quite an emotional write Jim, and deserving of the honour of POTD, congratulations. Tom
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:35 PM
Thank you Tom
Hankins Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 8:17 AM
Beautiful, Jim. Congratulations on your P.O.T.D.!
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:35 PM
Thank you sir!
Jayasankar Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 7:26 AM
"To walk one more time, to where the land ends and ocean begins", wow what an amazing way to begin a poem... and so many beautiful lines... " tangerine sky lazily descending into the cradle of the sea"... so creative and poetic... Congratulations on your POTD honor with this exquisite write Jim... God bless... ~ Ani
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:36 PM
Thank you Anitha for kind words and taking the time to share your thoughts. I am looking for advance readers/reviews for my second book of poetry coming out this Fall. If you would like to help, please let me know. Jim
Lawrence Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 7:10 AM
Just beautiful in its descriptions and emotions . A fav for me . I love the tender beauty of mind and soul you have penned here Jim . Congratulations on POTD! Susan :)
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:36 PM
Thank you Susan for kind words and taking the time to share your thoughts. I am looking for advance readers/reviews for my second book of poetry coming out this Fall. If you would like to help, please let me know. Jim
Lawless Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 6:56 AM
Magnificently written Jim. i am fortunate to still have that hand to hold as we walk...I shall share this with her now...
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:37 PM
Thank you John Lawless, hold her hand as long as you can.
Edmonds  Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 6:33 AM
Exquisite nostalgic free verse poetry Jim, congratulations on poem of the day… Belle
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:37 PM
Thank you Belle for kind words and taking the time to share your thoughts. I am looking for advance readers/reviews for my second book of poetry coming out this Fall. If you would like to help, please let me know. Jim
Alex Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 6:12 AM
Many beautiful longings - nostalgic as well as true - written in a very sentiment-filled song-style. I read it many times. Felt your feelings. Congratulations!
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:38 PM
Thank you Christuraj for kind words and taking the time to share your thoughts. I am looking for advance readers/reviews for my second book of poetry coming out this Fall. If you would like to help, please let me know. Jim
Baker Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 6:07 AM
A FAV for my list, Jim. Congratulations on your POTD. A beautifully written expression of the longing of many of us here on PoetrySoup. I liked the fequent references to nature and the springling of colors in your poem. Thanks for sharing, enjoy your special day! Bill
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:39 PM
Bill, I always appreciate hearing from the "us" om Poetry soup. You are a kind man.
Fowler Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 5:56 AM
Enchanting read Jim! I truly enjoyed this work of yours. Congratulations on POTD! Linda
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:39 PM
Thank you Linda (love the owl).
Sands Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 5:47 AM
Wow. This is a. Excellent POTD. A favorite for me. Congratulations Jim. Enjoy :)
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:40 PM
Thank you Heidi for kind words and taking the time to share your thoughts. I am looking for advance readers/reviews for my second book of poetry coming out this Fall. If you would like to help, please let me know. Jim
Kyser Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 4:20 AM
that's lovely - and congrats on your POTD
Hirtle Avatar
August 9, 2022 at 3:40 PM
Thanks Jeff!
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