Gershon Wolf Poet Narrative

The Wide World To Roam

A city lad ran away from home
  The whole wide world to explore and roam
Sure that somewhere else he'd find
  The fortune he had for himself in mind...

At first he thought to try the sea
  On board a big sailing ship
Harsh winds blew it far off course
  Where his prospects took a dip... 

Washed ashore in the Orient
  He tried his hand in the bazaar
Stayed there several years, near four
  Left with a few coins in an exotic jar...

Sought his destiny in foreign legions
  Soon deployed to woe-begone regions
Joined a monastery, lived the life of a monk
  Didn't want to end up a contemplative hunk...

Wherever he went, whatever he tried
  He did his best, but his hope always died
'Till one day, broke, despondent and alone
  Shamefacedly, he stole his way home...

No longer a lad now, but a jaded fellow
  He thought to ease up, kick back, be mellow
And lo and behold, just after that decision
  A fortune fell into his lap he hadn't envisioned

Digging up weeds in his garden, he found a chest
  Filled with gold and silver, among the rest
Of the precious gems buried next to his home
  That he had once left, the wide world to roam...

The moral of this story should be clear to you and me
  Don't run after fortune, over land, over sea
    Your ship docks at your very door
       Right there where you started, at home, for free

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Susan Ashley June 4, 2019 at 9:54 PM There's no place like home, Gershon. You can travel and search the world wide, when really what you're searching for is most likely in your own backyard.. Beautifully done, my insightful friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan Susan Ashley June 4, 2019 at 10:56 PM Indeed! One of my all time fav movies, I can relate to Dorothy’s eventual realization. Now, ‘we’re off to see the wizard...’ lol. Gershon Wolf June 4, 2019 at 10:12 PM Yes, it's very much as Dorothy put it in the 'Wizard of Oz.' … There IS no place like home! Thank you for another warm, positive, supportive visit. All the best, Susan. :) gw

Caren Krutsinger June 4, 2019 at 9:33 PM This reminds me of the story "Acres of Diamonds" - a story by Earl Nightengale. It was in one of the many wonderful inspirational books I used to read when I was a salesperson. Love it! LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Gershon Wolf June 4, 2019 at 9:51 PM You know, I too have seen this kind of story in several in several languages, based in different cultures. Thanks for the Love, Caren!! :) gw

William Kelii Kekaula June 4, 2019 at 9:46 AM Yes, they'd it be from whenced an errant journey for the waywardness began--GREAT GW, Aloha William Gershon Wolf June 4, 2019 at 1:20 PM Thank you for the 'high marks' on this one, William. Greatly appreciated. :) gw

Tom Cunningham June 4, 2019 at 7:29 AM A lesson learnt Gershon, under his nose the whole time. Gershon Wolf June 4, 2019 at 8:44 AM Isn't it always right under our noses when we're looking to find something important---not just fortune?! Thanks for the viewpoint, Tom! :) gw

Mark Toney June 3, 2019 at 11:31 PM Truth that lives in words! Great story with a message, Gershon. I think you’ve convinced me to take up gardening again ;) ~Mark Gershon Wolf June 4, 2019 at 8:43 AM Ha, ha... I think your valuable comment has convinced me to take up gardening as well. We'll have a race to the bank! Thanks for the feedback, Mark! Best wishes, Gershon