We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
~ Shakespeare, The Tempest IV:1, 146-48
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
~ Shakespeare, The Tempest IV:1, 146-48
East to West, dawn to dusk, curtain to curtain,
cover to cover—I turn my single day’s journey
into many, each with rising action and a hope
of resolution.
Each has a beginning, though the end is
uncertain.
The length of this play—five-acts, three-acts
or one—
I travel with characters by bus, by flying
carpet,
by streetcars of desire, and by holding on
while we rotate with the earth, moon and sun.
How dizzying to follow the plots, to find what
they mean—
or to try and write the chapters, predict and control—
when I could let go and live them, collaborate,
and,
in between, embrace the clutter and the dream.
For Sumana's prompt
Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Journey
My blog poems are rough drafts.
Please respect my copyright.
© 2017 Susan L. Chast
These lines:
ReplyDeleteHow dizzying to follow the plots, to find what they mean—
or to try and write the chapters, predict and control—
touched me because that's how a life's journey is. thanks Susan for this nice poem.
The complexities of life beautifully expressed. As you say better just enjoy the ride than try to find out what's actually happening. It's mind boggling
ReplyDeleteOh, I embrace the clutter daily (the dream, not so much). Fine write!
ReplyDeleteSigh. This is gorgeous. I adore "embrace the clutter and the dream". Sigh. I also like the idea of each day being a journey, stepping stone in the longer journey we are making.
ReplyDeleteSusan
ReplyDeleteLife with all its facets and clutter is the journey lived through our individual experiences...many journeys form a lifetime...
A wonderful journey of a creator Loved the last lines so deep and meaningful
ReplyDelete"when I could let go and live them, collaborate, and,
in between, embrace the clutter and the dream."
A fantastic poem Loved it
ReplyDeleteWOW, Susan, this is a great write! Each day unfolds with clutter and dreams, angst and joy, boredom and excitement. What a ride!
I travel with characters by bus, by flying carpet,
ReplyDeleteby streetcars of desire .. love that... I was instantly categorizing everyone around me by modes of transport of course!!!
Rarely do we a have a quiet life with everything ordered and going our way. In retrospect we probably happy that trials and changes have occured to make us understand exactly what life is about. Personally I am glad I have been tested and not everything has turned out right. Not being all that tidy, having some clutter seems just for me!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more specially the embracing part. Also love that certainty of the beginning and all the lovely images in the lines.
ReplyDeletePretty hectic day, I must say Susan. Loved the beginnings with uncertain endings. I think it’s really true that endings are uncertain.
ReplyDeleteThought provoking Life throws a lot of plates at you regardless of how earnestly you try to control your personal world.It is just the way it is for some people. I am a person who is constantly trying 'to get on top' of things like Sisyphus.:)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of each day being a journey of unknown. 'Embrace the clutter and the Dream' - beautiful thought.
ReplyDeleteYou have described one's journey very well...whether it be a day's journey or a life's journey. And, yes, there is always a bit of clutter along the way!
ReplyDeleteand by holding on
ReplyDeletewhile we rotate with the earth,
moon and sun
To think it is just an ordinary day!
Hank
A wonderful poem, Susan. So many of us look at our lives as temporal journeys in seas of experience and interaction with other travellers. No wonder we had a such a fine selection of poems this week on this very theme.
ReplyDelete