Spreading Your Wings
Reaching out, freely; spreading your wings,
Feeling for whatever prospects life brings.
Quenching your thirst through the unlit, unknown,
Extending; begging, for somewhere called home.
Sometimes it feels like a bottomless hole,
You’re grasping and hoping, you’re saving your soul.
Every dark corner is there for the taking,
Waiting for luminance, newly awakening.
Searching each avenue, haunting each lane,
Pushing on recklessly, even through pain.
Striving to conquer, curing the aches,
Renewing the bruising, mending the breaks.
Oh, for the day when true solace arrives,
The blinkers have fallen, you open your eyes.
That sad, ugly duckling’s an elegant swan,
And all of the wretchedness seems to have gone.
2nd March 2019
Walking through the back end of the churchyard, which is closest to our house, I always notice the smooth, exposed roots of a particular tree. Similarly, there’s another tree on my usual walk, that has a complicated root system reaching out across the earth, as well as below. They are constantly spreading out to find all the moisture & nutrients they need for their survival, & this is what initially inspired this poem. It’s only when they get enough of everything they need to live, over many years, through all kinds of conditions, searching the darkness of every nook & cranny within the ground, that they can truly blossom into the beauty & majesty of what we see towering above us. I guess the same can be said for us too…
ivor20 says:
Brilliant Debbie, You’ve describe my life’s journey perfectly, and even your glorious finale, is my recent trip down to tee… xx
neilsonanita says:
Nice poem Debbie.
Debbie Jones says:
Thank you very much, Anita ☺️
Debbie Jones says:
Aww, thank you so much, Ivor. Yes, you’ve certainly experienced those incredibly dark times. It must seem like you’ll never find any sort of glimmer of light ever again, after what you’ve been through with Carole. It’s evident that your fabulous trip has lit a candle for you..that family support must feel wonderful, I’m delighted for you. I’m sure Carole would be so happy & proud of you. xx
ivor20 says:
Yes, my trip has been very enlightening for me, and my sister’s wedding today has culminated a month of enrichment that has enhanced my new positive aspects on life … Thank you Debbie xxx ((Hugs))
Debbie Jones says:
That’s so good to hear, Ivor. Oh yes, I was thinking your sister’s wedding is tomorrow..hope you all had a wonderful day, & they all loved your poem! ? xx
ivor20 says:
The wedding this afternoon….. And it’ll be a glorious day, I’ll be heeding up to Ballarat soon….
vhealing says:
Beautiful words Debbie.
Debbie Jones says:
Thank you so much, I really appreciate you taking the time to read & make a lovely comment. ☺️
SueW says:
Oh, how I enjoyed reading this Debbie. I can really relate to verse three – And from now on I shall think of myself as a towering majesty! I like that idea! ?
Debbie Jones says:
Thank you so very much, Sue. I’m glad you found some words that had meaning for you, & hopefully helped to remind you of how far you’ve come. Go you, Sue! Just think, a towering majesty, such as yourself, even provides its own red carpet every Autumn, for you & everyone who passes your way..now that’s something special! ☺️
SueW says:
Love the idea of having my own red carpet! ?
mabelfrancis says:
Loved the positive hopeful ending of this poem, Debbie. As you have pointed out there’s a lot of similarity between a tree and a human life. The endeavour to live life to the full even at the cost of a struggle!
Debbie Jones says:
Thank you very much indeed, Mabel. I’m glad you liked the ending. I guess we’ve all been through times of darkness at one time or another, or triumphed against adversity, & that feeling of relief from coming out the other side can be incredibly freeing & overwhelming. I do appreciate your kind comments. ☺️?
mabelfrancis says:
Absolute pleasure to read your poetry, Debbie?
Invisibly Me says:
What a wonderful way to look at it, with the roots always searching for sustenance and only when the conditions are met can they blossom. A beautiful cadence to the poem, I especially love those last two lines.xx
debbiejonesalwaysamused says:
Thank you very much indeed, Caz, you’re very kind. I’m so sorry I missed your comment when you posted it. I was just checking through, as I thought I’d missed replying to someone the other day, when family were here, & I noticed your reply too. I don’t like to get behind, but occasionally the notifications disappear on my phone, before I can catch up! Many thanks, once again xx
Peter's pondering says:
Lovely…….it’s a steam train poem.
The clickety clack of the wheels, with the changing scenes flying past the window.
I love the rhythm, the rhyme, the reason, and the eventual deep breath as you arrive at your destination.
Sublime!
Debbie Jones says:
Thank you very much indeed, Peter, I really do appreciate your kind comments & very interesting observations. I hadn’t thought of it or intended to write it in respect of a steam train ride, but can see exactly what you mean, many thanks, once again.
Peter's pondering says:
I love W H Auden’s Night Mail!
Debbie Jones says:
Ooh I haven’t read/heard that for a long time, I must look it up again! ?
Peter's pondering says:
It inspired this:
https://pollymermaid.wordpress.com/2014/10/02/nobody/
Debbie Jones says:
Peter, that is wonderful! That steam train rhythm is unmistakable. I do feel a certain sadness at the nothingness/emptiness, especially on a train, travelling for no one! Thank you very much for sharing, I really enjoyed that..a lot. I managed to watch The Night Train too, & can definitely recognise the inspiration it gave to you. It makes such a difference when poems are read out loud, especially when they’re performed well. Goodness, you’ve been blogging for a long time..do you still write poetry?
Peter's pondering says:
I do indeed. I have lots of part poems in a folder, some completed ones, and have posted a limerick each week for the past 37 weeks going from A to Z, and back, on an animal/bird theme.
Debbie Jones says:
Ahh excellent! I hope you get to finish the part poems one day, I’ve got a few like that too. I do enjoy your limericks, they always portray a great sense of fun!
Stevie Turner says:
Lovely poem. I love trees – I’ve been cycling through Thetford forest today, which was alive with birdsong.
Debbie Jones says:
Thank you very much for your kind comment, Stevie. Sounds like a wonderful place to take a bike ride, birdsong & trees..perfect! ☺️
Stevie Turner says:
It is perfect for sure – no cars!
blindzanygirl says:
Hi Debbie. I just looked for your fomnent that you made on my pist of yesterday but fouldn’t find it. Been out all day. Could you give me the name ofbthat sunger whom you me tioned again. I would live to listen to her. In the meantime I will keep looking for yoyr comment. My iPad is actung up a bit. But I reallyvwould live to hear that singer ?