09 November 2016

When on a Rising Path


 "Adversity is the first path to Truth"---Lord Byron

Dips and rises should be expected,
splits and junctures, too,
and so we keep on keeping on
there’s nothing else to do.

I learned this from my parents
who loved and raised their family
on dimes and empty pockets, too,
in dark caves and neighbors' clothes.

Dips and rises are expected,
splits and junctures, too,
and so we keep on keeping on
there’s nothing else to do.

I learned this from the labels
of woman's worth in boxes
checked off by teachers,
by bosses and by leaders, too.

Dips and rises should be expected,
splits and junctures, too,
and so we keep on keeping on
there’s nothing else to do.

I learn this from Black friends
who face reminders everyday
they’re strangers in a foreign land
here in the US of A.

Dips and rises as expected,
splits and junctures, too,
but we keep on keeping on
there’s nothing else to do.

I learn this from radical action:
the more we gain, the more we're blocked
by grinning gatekeepers who won’t change
and dare us to keep moving, too.

Dips and rises as expected,
splits and junctures, too,
and we dare to keep on going
there’s nothing else to do.



For Sumana's prompt 

Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Path


This poem REALLY needs work, I know!

My blog poems are rough drafts. 
Please respect my copyright.

© 2016 Susan L. Chast

17 comments:

  1. "and we dare to keep on going" this is so heart warming and inspires one to walk on even where there's no path...love the refrain & the word 'dare' here...

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  2. keep on going and fighting the good fight... the refrain works wonderfully.

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  3. LOVE❤️ Such an evocative poem filled with courage and conviction! The refrain burns bright with power as we trail on through these challenging times. Beautifully executed.


    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  4. "Dips and rises should be expected,
    splits and junctures, too,
    and so we keep on keeping on
    there’s nothing else to do."

    A dose of good measure on the Morning After

    much love...

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  5. But sometimes it's really, really hard to keep on going...

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  6. Nothing to do but keep on keeping on. In the fullness of time, surely people will wake up?

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  7. There is nothing else to do--but it is hard

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  8. I echo all these responses..we just keep on going and can never give up !

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  9. Excellent, Susan. Dips and rises should be expected indeed. If we only had 'rises' we really would not appreciate them, I don't think. We need the 'dips' to be able to appreciate the highs. Much wisdom here. Yes, the more we rise the more we are blocked. And that is what seems to have happened in this election!

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  10. There is no going back only forward and we should do this in hope as that is the one thing we can always hold on to.

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  11. May we all find the strength to keep on.

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  12. Brilliant! Though it's tough at times...we must keep moving forward. Life keeps leading us down new paths.
    Thanks for this inspiring poem, Susan!

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  13. I learn this from radical action:
    the more we gain, the more we're blocked
    by grinning gatekeepers who won’t change
    and dare us to keep moving, too.

    Love this stanza Susan! So much truth faced when we are perceived as irritants by those 'gatekeepers' But as a further motivation their acts would spur us on.

    Hank

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  14. your refrain works so well for this poem. easy to be discouraged, but we do keep on.

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  15. Wonderfully composed lyrical poem. Not just hopeful, but we the strong must keep on going

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  16. I love the repetition of the first stanza A poem full of wisdom that inspires us to whatever comes on our path we just have to keep going. Thanks

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  17. People learn from their mistakes and they do keep on going... Trouble is there are so many more new mistakes to make and even more trouble is the fact that many people have short memories!
    The refrain works well, Susan, and the meaty verses in between make this more than a simple ballad!

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