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What Was

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Originally published: 20th March 2024

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

when all the words inside your head become those words already said and places that you dreamt you saw are places now you’ve been before is it that time to call a day on all what was and walk away or is it time to take the view that you should stay to start anew and use the past to build upon what’s gone before before it's gone?

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Joe Maverick

Date: 11/11/2024 11:58:00 AM

As we are on a planet, and its going round.' What has been.' Again is found..we look with Eyes and listen for sounds.' To some its all Alien.' Uncertain of grounds.? Yes things are Changing.' Yet nothings new.' How to explain? Is there something from you.? Its just like money..Theres little to spare maybe we should Toss up three pennies, you ask swye.? Well to opportuintys dare.'

Joe Maverick
Date: 11/12/2024 10:01:00 AM

Its just light hearted stuff from me Gary..Swye is the Australian way of coin gambling (three pennies instead of two) more descisive like that.'

Gary Radice
Date: 11/11/2024 8:18:00 PM

Joe, while I don't profess to understand all you have written here I'm delighted by the idea that my poem inspired you to respond in the way that you have. Thank you. Cheers - Gary

Greg Gaul

Date: 11/2/2024 5:59:00 AM

Masterful rhyming

Gary Radice
Date: 11/2/2024 6:49:00 AM

Lovely comment. :) Cheers - Gary

Margarita Lillico

Date: 7/12/2024 6:07:00 AM

Congrats Gary, I love it! That is an every morning read to start the day! Like a warm cup of tea, warm and reassuring!

Gary Radice
Date: 7/12/2024 8:13:00 AM

"Warm and reassuring" - just like your lovely comments Margarita. :) Thank you. Cheers - Gary

Ink Empress

Date: 7/12/2024 3:30:00 AM

Dear gary, for some reason this kept getting my attention for the depth and seamless flow of your rhymes! And how youv delivered your thoughts just effortlessly in such an engaging manner! Brilliant! This is a fave for me. Congratulations on your win too and thank you for sharing

Gary Radice
Date: 7/12/2024 8:21:00 AM

Hi Ink Empress! Thanks so much for the placement. You've restored my faith in this poem. :) Many Thanks! Cheers - Gary

John Watt

Date: 7/4/2024 2:30:00 PM

Gary, these words would be perfect as the lyrics to a slow ballad at the end of an album. Meditative, philosophical, ever-so-slightly melancholy. Along the lines of "And So It Goes' by Billy Joel or "Along the Road" by Dan Fogleberg, or even "A Day in the Life" from Sgt. Pepper. I often ask myself when starting a new poem "what can I possibly say now that I haven't already said"? You've stated so brilliantly what I have often experienced, and what I believe is at the very core of my long dry spell. I especially loved the turn of phrase in "what’s gone before / before it's gone?" Cheers ~ John

Gary Radice
Date: 7/5/2024 4:25:00 AM

I love your thinking here John re lyrics to a slow ballad at the end of an album. Thank you! Dan Fogelberg..if I remember correctly he had one hit in the UK late 70s called “Longer”. I really liked his voice and song..but kept it quiet from my friends who were all into post punk / new wave / power pop. I liked those genres too but appreciated the lyrical poetry of certain songs. The Beatles and Billy Joel can still do no wrong by me. I appreciate your support and great comments as per always John. Cheers - Gary.

Tom Woody

Date: 6/29/2024 5:37:00 AM

Still enjoy this contemplative poetic short. I guess your muse is still in hiding for now. Hope you're doing ok Gary

Gary Radice
Date: 6/29/2024 7:33:00 AM

Thanks Tom. The ideas are there but the motivation for writing is lacking at the moment. I want to try more free verse but I find free verse harder to write than rhyme for some oddball reason. I try to read and comment on at least one poem per day as well so I'll pop over to your page probably tomorrow. I prefer reading a poet's older poems as I think there is too much emphasis at The Soup on a poet's latest work. Glad you like this poem though. Cheers - Gary

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/27/2024 8:32:00 PM

The 'eyes' have it, methinks. My eyes today are way, way different than before // So I can see afresh what never was in days of yore! :) gw

Gary Radice
Date: 5/27/2024 10:37:00 PM

That's very profound Gershon. A poem in itself. :) As an aside, I often wonder whether we do get wiser as we get older through our life's experiences and whether that and how our perception of time changing as we grow older influences our decisions and outlook on life. Cheers - Gary

David Crandall

Date: 4/25/2024 5:48:00 PM

Gary, I like the way it flows. I was seeing it as being about how everything in life, after a while, seems to be a repetition, with slight variation, of things from before, not entirely new, like when you're a kid, but that, they are still worthwhile.

Gary Radice
Date: 4/26/2024 12:58:00 AM

Hi David! That’s a really interesting take. Whenever people kindly offer up their interpretation of one of my poems I always like to read through the poem again. I truly get what you’re saying. Thanks David. Cheers - Gary

Sam Kauffman

Date: 4/21/2024 9:24:00 AM

Hi Gary! Amazing poem of "been there - done that" but ending with the challenge of "now what?" Each "life" line is wonderfully composed with the challenges of life asked and answered and a reminder at the end of your musings not to let life's opportunities slip away into regret! I love the way you have set up the poem and your rhyme scheme flows like thoughts flowing through the mind! So happy to have you back in the soup! Blessings and cheers!

Gary Radice
Date: 4/21/2024 10:49:00 AM

Thanks so much Sam. This is one of those poems that 'wrote itself'. I hardly had to think about what I was writing..as you say..it just flowed. :) Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck

Date: 4/20/2024 12:50:00 PM

Dear Gary, Your poem is so beautiful and wistful. It's so true, and so many things and people have already gone. We have to rebuild, even though some things can't be replaced, except in our minds. For some reason, these young people don't want to hear how wonderful we were :) Take care.

Gary Radice
Date: 4/21/2024 12:47:00 AM

Thank you for your visit and valued comments Ann. I wrote this poem about personally feeling burnt out from writing poetry but hoped that readers would attach their own personal meaning to it. Again, thank you and it's great to read you back at The Soup once again. Cheers - Gary

Hilda Greenhough

Date: 4/16/2024 7:58:00 PM

A good idea. Renewal is a way to take a second look. I liked this poem.

Gary Radice
Date: 4/17/2024 2:49:00 AM

Thanks Hilda. That’s very profound. Appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne

Date: 4/13/2024 6:03:00 PM

Hello Gary, Another poem for your reader to mull over carefully. Your final 3 lines convey (to me) an impending loss of whatever has been savoured, polished so it is best to seize those past nuggets while we can + see what we still can build upon. Hopefully our foundations hold. I enjoyed the posting for all its nuances. Best wishes. Brian

Gary Radice
Date: 4/14/2024 3:29:00 AM

Thanks for your valued comments Brian. I love your take on the poem - just brilliant! Cheers - Gary

Robert Zimmerman

Date: 4/7/2024 12:24:00 PM

Hi Gary. I enjoyed the style and the content of this piece. I like the cadence and rhyme scheme.

Gary Radice
Date: 4/7/2024 9:33:00 PM

I'm glad you like it Robert. Thanks for stopping by. Your comments are much appreciated. Cheers - Gary

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/5/2024 11:57:00 PM

Smoothly reflective, Gary. Really nice poem.

Gary Radice
Date: 4/6/2024 6:52:00 AM

Thanks Andrea. I'm really pleased how this turned out considering it took me less than 10 minutes to write. :) Cheers - Gary

Sam Scott

Date: 4/5/2024 11:28:00 PM

Hi Gary.. found this and love it! I think we all (men and women of a certain age..) reach a point of reflection and review. I certainly spend too much time looking back nowadays, even though there is still a hopeful future ahead. All that truly exists is the now. Blessings. Sam.

Gary Radice
Date: 4/6/2024 6:56:00 AM

Thank you Sam. Memories and introspective thoughts tend to write many of my poems. I agree that there is still hope in - and for - the future and my dreams haven't turned into regrets.. just yet. :) Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 4/5/2024 3:24:00 PM

Your poems truly have a lyrical flow that feels like music, those last few lines so poignant, will have to Fave this one!

Gary Radice
Date: 4/6/2024 7:03:00 AM

Thank you Michelle. I appreciate your lovely comments and your fav. I've got to be honest and say I wasn't too happy with this poem when I first wrote it for whatever reason and was going to pull it. I'm glad I left it up now. It's growing on me. :) Cheers - Gary

Paul Callus

Date: 4/4/2024 11:28:00 AM

I love the smooth flow of these introspective lines, Gary. Turning away from poetry writing for a short hiatus is understandable (and sometimes necessary), but I can't imagine you completely severing the bond between you and your muse! ~ Regards // paul

Gary Radice
Date: 4/5/2024 12:24:00 AM

Hi Paul Thank you for your kind comments. Yes, I agree - taking a break is understandable and I've certainly taken a few of those in my time. There are instances when I wonder if my 'burnout' from poetry is driven not so much by a lack of muse but a lack of new muse. I've sometimes asked myself if I've reached a point whereby I have written about everything there is to write about that interests me and am I just repeating myself if I continue with my endeavours? Maybe I just need to stop thinking too much. :) Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Terry Flood

Date: 3/27/2024 5:53:00 PM

I always love the rhythm and flow of your poems, Gary. This is no exception. Having read other’s comments I have to say that sometimes ‘time out’ is enforced by one’s own muse taking a vacation. Right now I feel my muse has expired and gone skyward… but, I’ve been here before and in the words of Arnie…

Gary Radice
Date: 3/28/2024 3:03:00 AM

“Get to the chopper” (Predator) ….. :) Terry, thank you for your kind words. I just lack the motivation at the moment to write. I keep thinking of all the things I could be doing instead of writing poetry like mowing the lawn or painting the garden shed or decorating the house…yeah..and on that note expect a new poem soon. :) Cheers - Gary

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 3/24/2024 8:37:00 AM

Your "What Was" is a wonderful write. I enjoyed this creative one with the great ending. Last September I took a few weeks off of Soup/life/ran away to get away. I find this helpful from time to time... I wish you would write more. Have a wonderful day writing away.......................

Gary Radice
Date: 3/24/2024 12:39:00 PM

Thank you Paula. You're very kind and wise with your comments. I took a break just after Christmas but found a second wind. That said, the idea of taking a further break sounds tempting. I think many people do opt for a break now and again don't they?..but invariably return at some point. Thanks again. Cheers - Gary

Christina Bowring

Date: 3/21/2024 12:32:00 AM

Dear Gary, I found this to be a very reflective read and I slowly read the lines a couple of times. It’s so well written. I love the pondering here. You’re far too good a poet to turn away my friend and I hope you continue to create wonderful poems ( another 100 would be lovely :) ) Absolutely love, ‘ to start anew and use the past to build upon what’s gone before before it’s gone? So clever. You’ve inspired me. Loved it. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day :)

Gary Radice
Date: 3/21/2024 1:46:00 AM

Christina, having just read your lovely inspiring words I can't fail to have a great day. :) Thanks so much! Cheers - Gary

John Oldham

Date: 3/20/2024 5:56:00 PM

Love the flow and the everlasting message of this poem, Gary. Well done -

Gary Radice
Date: 3/25/2024 12:52:00 PM

Thanks again John! Cheers - Gary

John Oldham
Date: 3/24/2024 4:56:00 AM

Btw I added this to my favorites. Have a great day!

Gary Radice
Date: 3/20/2024 10:28:00 PM

Much appreciated John, thank you. Cheers - Gary

Hilda Greenhough

Date: 3/20/2024 4:11:00 PM

An amusing poem that makes me chuckle. It fits like a shoe.

Gary Radice
Date: 3/20/2024 10:27:00 PM

Thanks Hilda. Hopefully its one size fits all. :) Cheers - Gary

David Kavanagh

Date: 3/20/2024 2:47:00 PM

Brilliant Gary, I often ponder just how many configurations can take place before everything possible has been achieved, and what is the point of carrying on into infinite boredom, perhaps human mortality, and new life prevents this scenario playing out, or perhaps I’m overthinking this one, super poem, cheers David

David Kavanagh
Date: 3/20/2024 3:35:00 PM

I thought I sensed world weariness creeping in, but if it’s only poetry weariness, then join the club, leave it to me I’m always looking at the extreme absolutes lol!

Gary Radice
Date: 3/20/2024 3:21:00 PM

Thanks David. I love it when people have their own interpretations of a poem - to me that's what poetry is all about. For fear of me sounding pretentious now I wanted the poem to come across as a little ambiguous so as to encourage a few different interpretations. My own raison d'etre for the poem is that it's a letter to myself questioning whether I still have the desire to write poetry. Since Christmas I've felt somewhat burnt out with it all. There has been a bit of a second wind but, yes, burnt out. :) Cheers - Gary

Tom Woody

Date: 3/20/2024 12:31:00 PM

awesome rhymes and cadence

Gary Radice
Date: 3/20/2024 12:34:00 PM

Thank you Tom. :) Cheers - Gary

Di11y Da11y

Date: 3/20/2024 10:09:00 AM

Wonderful words Gary :)

Gary Radice
Date: 3/20/2024 10:52:00 AM

Thanks DD. :). Cheers - Gary