I searched empty canyons
Pilfered through frozen hearts
Filtered facts from the cinders
Reflected from afar
I waited on ocean currents
Zephyrs for perfect sailing
All the while failing
To see my own stars
I am happy to be hosting our first Poetics for 2017 at our virtual pub,
The New Year has a way of restoring our hopes and aspirations, nudging us to set new goals, follow new dreams and create “new beginnings”. With this in mind, I decided to visually inspire you with the help of 8 wonderful artists. Although the titles of their work may be very similar, each piece is an example of their very unique styles. The fun begins at 3 p.m. EST. Hope you can join in!
Image credit: “New Beginning” by Lynn and Jim Lemyre.
You can find more of their work at lemyreart.com
mishunderstood 
Love love love this prompt! Kudos to you, Mish. And kudos for this post as well.
It is so true, isn’t it? We can be searching and searching for happiness and, in reality, we simply need to take a breath and look at exactly what surrounds us and understand, we are grounded in happiness. Family, a solid roof over our head, a sun that is guaranteed to rise each day (even though on some, it may be behind clouds)…etc. I’m reminded of that old adage, “count your blessings.” There are many in this world who subsist on far far far less.
Thankful for every day.
I really love the ending here… we do that don’t we… searching around and missing all the things that lies in front of us. Really loved this image, and it was a hard choice, but i ended up with another.
What she said–yes, we have dived into the poetic currents of 2017, & poetry streams off our wet limbs as we wade ashore. Your poem was a perfect compliment for the painting you chose. I like the line /pilfered through frozen hearts/. Way to get this party started !!
Ah, yes, I recognise that feeling – looking all around, exploring, daring to dream far beyond the horizon… and yet… Wistful yearning in those short verses.
The ending of this is just perfect, I could feel my breath catch in the back of my throat.
Beautiful response…in the waiting for the oceans and things afar, we missed to see our very own stars ~ Terrific artists Mish, thanks ~
YES. May we see our own stars this year. LOVE.
The boat being full of water instead of in it, reads like the verse, “I waited on ocean currents
Zephyrs for perfect sailing All the while failing To see my own stars”
This is beautiful and it made wonder why we fail to see our own stars.
I agree…beautiful and heartfelt. A great beginning to a new year!
Failing to recognise the micro – we all do that.
Thanks for this wonderful prompt…love the joy at finding oneself expressed in the lines….
“Filtered facts from the cinders”
I tried 15 times to tell you how much I liked this line last night, but my Internet was glitchy as all get out.
So frustrating!
Oh, I love this. It’s one I’d like on my wall, to remind me to cherish the stars I have. Thank you for sharing, it’s lovely.
Being “grounded” and seeing my own stars is a perfect New Year’s mantra. ❤
Such an inspiring prompt, thank you. And, I love the way you’ve used it here…..such a beautiful message, but I also like the use of “Pilfered” and “Filtered” as the starting words to the two consecutive lines in the first stanza. Really beautiful.
Beautiful lines, Mish. And very reflective. Thanks for the prompt!
lovely poem, Mish 🙂 best wishes for 2017 ❤
kaykuala
the while failing
To see my own stars
To get at new aspirations and hopes can be most elusive going into the new year. No small wonder that new year resolutions keep repeating itself devoid of finality!
Hank
This is perfect. I love the ending. It’s so so true.
“All the while failing
To see my own stars” Oh that tore me. What an excellent prompt and write.
All the while failing
To see my own stars
One often tries hard but in some situations one just fails to connect. And issues remained unresolved.
Hank
Wonderfully written. ..and a great reminder to not look for that which we already possess.
I love this poem. Each line was tantalizing leading to its final message.
A lovely poem – thanks for sharing. Very peaceful and a reminder to be with your own stillness and with the source of your own power.
Reblogged this on Burt Brecht.