The Road Not Taken - Wiz

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I'm a simple Kansas farm girl
In the city of emerald spires
Adventures, tall, I've left behind
With witches, spells and fires

A cyclone tore me from my kin
And the homestead where I was
It set me down in strangeness
This dazzling land called "Oz"

A scarecrow, lion and man of tin
Have helped me find my way
To this green and gleaming city
But they know that I can't stay

Risking their lives to bring me
To a wizard, unknown but wise
His promise is to take me home
So, I'm making my goodbye's

A priceless lesson I have learned -
There's no place quite like home
This journey was far too chancy
Hence, no further shall I roam

Yet, I've found such special folks
Of them, life makes no copies
A charming witch named Glinda
(And oh, those wondrous poppies!)

I've grown a lot in soul and limb
And life's wisdom, I'll now heed ...

Still ...

The yellow brick road was SO much fun ...
Now ... where's the RED one lead?




Written and submitted on November 29, 2018
For the "Off To See The Wizard" Poetry Contest
Charles Messina, Judge & Sponsor

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Gershon Wolf

Date: 12/5/2018 10:30:00 PM

That last couplet was such a corker, my friend. Delightfully daring! Congrats on your win in the contest, and Season's Best! ~ Gershon

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/6/2018 3:53:00 AM

Many kind thanks, Gershon, I always appreciate your thoughtful comments, Friend! :-)

Carole Duet

Date: 12/5/2018 4:11:00 PM

I love the ending, Greg. In fact, I like the whole poem! And, congrats on your placement in the contest. Carole :D

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/6/2018 3:53:00 AM

Oh, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, Carole - many thanks and blessings to you, my friend! :-) <3

Eve Roper

Date: 12/5/2018 9:03:00 AM

Great imagination and imagery, Greg, enjoyed reading. .. ... .Congratulations on your 2nd place win!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/6/2018 3:52:00 AM

Thank you so very much, Eve, much appreciated, Friend! :-) <3

Sandra Haight

Date: 12/5/2018 6:55:00 AM

Such a great, well-written poem, Greg! However, you did the same as did and interpreted the character was to be an existing one from within the story. I was Dorothy also in my poem! At least we made the list for a good write. Congrats! Sandra :):)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/6/2018 3:52:00 AM

That's very sweet, Sandra, and I thank you so much! I totally missed that it had to be a new character - I thought it had to be a character from the original, but ANY character ... I don't feel so bad now knowing somebody else missed it, too, lol, (but you didn't have to do it to make me feel better! ;-) ). Blessings, Dear Poet! :-) <3

Charles Messina

Date: 12/5/2018 6:24:00 AM

As usual, a great write Greg. It is well deserved of a top win but I didn't see where you were a new character and that is what I asked for. But none-the-less fantastic poetry my dear friend. Thank you for supporting my contest and Happy Holidays! ~Charlie

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 12/6/2018 3:50:00 AM

Oh, thank you for bestowing some grace upon me, Charles, I totally missed that! I read directions too fast sometimes, yet ask for clarity in my own contests - a bit of hypocrisy there this time, I guess, (I need to slow down!). Blessings, My Poet Brother, many thanks and happy holidays to you and yours! :-)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 11/29/2018 6:06:00 PM

so you are Dorothy herself!! Great job, my friend. I have a really SILLY and whimsical idea for this one. I sure hope I can pull it off. I need to do Constance's contest, which closes soon. Oh, much to do!!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 11/30/2018 12:07:00 AM

Thanks so much, Andrea, I so appreciate it ... the best of luck with those, I will have to track them down. Blessings, Buddy! :-) <3