John Lawless Poet Free verse

Wandering, Not Lost

He just slipped away
no one noticed his leaving
as he drifted
rudderless, ambivalent,
mocked by the windless sails
of tattered memory.

He would return
sit idly 
anchored to a moment
his voyages vague longings,
failing sunsets
erasing cold horizons.

His empty sailboat strains
against old tides,
aches to feel the rise
of salted crests,
celebrate each creaky
brine stained board.
                                
To sail
                                          
           ……..into his emptiness
                                                                                  
                                               ………….alone.



©12/4/2021

Pick A title Vol 27 Poetry Contest

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Edward Ibeh January 1, 2022 at 11:46 AM Heartiest congratulations on your win in my contest, John:-) Such a fabulous poem!

Christuraj Alex December 31, 2021 at 10:03 PM Great Narration .Congratulations!

Gershon Wolf December 6, 2021 at 3:53 PM This wanderer's sadness is too painful to bear. Powerful penning, John.

John Lawless December 5, 2021 at 4:54 AM Thanks Lin, for stopping to read and comment and playing in the metaphor...and yes....it is tinged with "The Old Man and the Sea".

Lin Lane December 4, 2021 at 8:06 AM John, your lines created the image of an older man, sitting on the shore, looking longingly at his sailboat. It's tied to a pier, and through your personification, longs to be gliding over waves of the sea. The two belong together, sort of like post Hemingway's 'Old Man and the Sea.' "...mocked by the windless sails of tattered memory." Great line! John Lawless December 5, 2021 at 4:56 AM OOPS...posted my response as a comment.....