Searching For My New Life - 1. What I Found

Wonderful 

2 hours ago, chris191070 said:

Wonderful 

Thanks Chris!  Writing poetry is a new exploration for me.  I needed a new creative outlet after I retired from teaching.  I hope to get much better.

My conclusion is that one needs a leap of faith, an incentive, and courage to start a new life.

These are great, Terry. I'm glad you decided on yet another way to explore your new life.

Thanks so much Aditus!  Change is a constant in all life.  Humans experience change from birth to death in many different circumstances.  Most important changes in childhood are the result of adults imposing the change.  Later, as we grow, we can make choices that lead to change, or accept changes initiated by others.  My poem is to encourage people to take control of their lives, and make changes without fear and embrace a new life without regret.

I love these, Terry.  You reveal so much of yourself and your experiences in such a delightfully inspiring way.  The positive experiences of a new life and a new love come through perfectly in the first two, and the third made me laugh out loud.  Tradition be damned, that is a wonderful way to reaffirm the points you've already made.  Sort of an executive-summary Haiku - you may start a new tradition.  You inspire me to be similarly unconventional  

I have always been daunted by poetry, both as a reader and a writer (especially Haiku, argh!). You have to say so much in so few words... and, when the poetry reflects your own lived experience, put yourself on the line. It's a brave way to start out.

I believe you have succeeded. As others have already commented, these poems are both personal and inspirational.

Thank you for sharing them with us. Keep us posted as you develop the craft!

Truly a fantastic effort and so glad you chose to share your personal ode to joy!!! 

Super amazing poetry! I really feel like your message is 110% true. We all need to take the leap of faith. Without doing so we will never get to see ourselves fully, but only partly. I also really enjoy learning about your leap of faith and how it’s leading to the person of your dreams! 

8 hours ago, Backwoods Boy said:

I love these, Terry.  You reveal so much of yourself and your experiences in such a delightfully inspiring way.  The positive experiences of a new life and a new love come through perfectly in the first two, and the third made me laugh out loud.  Tradition be damned, that is a wonderful way to reaffirm the points you've already made.  Sort of an executive-summary Haiku - you may start a new tradition.  You inspire me to be similarly unconventional  

What a wonderful comment.  I do love poetry and appreciate the ability to use it to communicate what the poet feels.  I see it in all the poetry I have read by so many on GA.  Your reactions were exactly what I was trying to achieve.  I'll be submitting several Haiku poems in a more traditional style in Blackbird Singing very soon.  Thanks for your support.

8 hours ago, James Carnarvon said:

I have always been daunted by poetry, both as a reader and a writer (especially Haiku, argh!). You have to say so much in so few words... and, when the poetry reflects your own lived experience, put yourself on the line. It's a brave way to start out.

I believe you have succeeded. As others have already commented, these poems are both personal and inspirational.

Thank you for sharing them with us. Keep us posted as you develop the craft!

Thank you for  your kind words.  Your words give me confidence to continue.  I don't know about having courage, but I did have many people encouraging and helping me.  @Aditus, @Valkyrie, @AC Benus, and @Headstall all provided inspiration and support.  Aditus was awesome in helping me polish the poems.  His help was invaluable.  I am continuing to write and will add to Blackbird Singing soon.  Most of the added poems will be Haiku.  Thanks again.

6 hours ago, drsawzall said:

Truly a fantastic effort and so glad you chose to share your personal ode to joy!!! 

Thank you my friend.  Your words are high praise and give me motivation to continue.  I will probably be exploring different forms of poems in the future, and hope the results will all express the wonder, joy and humor of life.  Many great poets here on GA are an inspiration, but also the great stories I have read like La Tombola.  

Very uplifting pieces, my dear friend. Leaps of faith require courage, and your courage has served you well. These works are honest and vulnerable, and that is what makes the best poetry. Your Thai is obviously a lucky man to have such devotion spelled out in words. I also loved the admonition of your Haiku. 

I must say I enjoy watching this new journey you have embarked on. Well done, Terry. Cheers!

21 minutes ago, Midnightwolfpup said:

Super amazing poetry! I really feel like your message is 110% true. We all need to take the leap of faith. Without doing so we will never get to see ourselves fully, but only partly. I also really enjoy learning about your leap of faith and how it’s leading to the person of your dreams! 

Thanks Wolfpup!  You truly understood what I was trying to convey.  A leap of faith is a bit scary to contemplate, but the rewards can be awesome.  I truly feel do feel my life now is more full.  I do have the person of my dreams after many years of feeling like my life had been stalled and become stale.  BTW, I also enjoyed your entry this year very much.

2 minutes ago, Headstall said:

Very uplifting pieces, my dear friend. Leaps of faith require courage, and your courage has served you well. These works are honest and vulnerable, and that is what makes the best poetry. Your Thai is obviously a lucky man to have such devotion spelled out in words. I also loved the admonition of your Haiku. 

I must say I enjoy watching this new journey you have embarked on. Well done, Terry. Cheers!

Your words brought happy tears to my eyes Gary.  I think that is because you and I know each other very well after all our exchanges. I was humbled by your comments about my courage, knowing that you are also very courageous in both your writing and comments.  I look forward to reading your poems next week.  Thank you for these words my friend.

Thank you for writing. "Autumn became Spring" has brought tears to my eyes. I understand it so well, being there myself. What a brave move you have made. 

10 minutes ago, Doha said:

Thank you for writing. "Autumn became Spring" has brought tears to my eyes. I understand it so well, being there myself. What a brave move you have made. 

Thank you Doha!  Your words let me know I have met one of my goals in writing.  I want readers to be able to relate to them personally.  I always enjoy your comments in stories, but this comment is very special to me! 

Terry my bro, I’m not the best judge of poetry, it’s never been my genre to write in (just ask my creative writing teachers) but these were beautiful.  I know they were personal to you, that added an extra layer of appreciation, I got a small taste of your journey.  Also, the wisdom you picked up along the way imparted.  
 

This is like a motivational speech to take another trip to the other side of the globe.  I’ve always wanted to go back.   
 

Anyway, thanks for sharing these. Mucho hugs to you my bro 

Three wonderfully inspiring poems. I love the sensual, nearly peek-a-boo nature of "My Thai." It's a beautiful chase and catch where the catching is never in doubt. 

"Take a Leap!" is the voice of experience urging the timid to go on and try. I suppose so much of our own isolation and loneliness is self-imposed anyway, so your message will speak to nearly everyone. And speak encouragement to them. How great is that? 

Loved them 

16 hours ago, spike382 said:

Terry my bro, I’m not the best judge of poetry, it’s never been my genre to write in (just ask my creative writing teachers) but these were beautiful.  I know they were personal to you, that added an extra layer of appreciation, I got a small taste of your journey.  Also, the wisdom you picked up along the way imparted.  
 

This is like a motivational speech to take another trip to the other side of the globe.  I’ve always wanted to go back.   
 

Anyway, thanks for sharing these. Mucho mugs to you my bro 

Hey Bro!  Your words are so wonderful to read as I start my day.  The affirm to me that I have achieved my goals for these poems. I did want to encourage people to do something that they might have only dreamed about.  You are very correct when  you said that I imparted to others what i have learned along my way.  That is the source for my poems, and I will continue to draw upon it.  Thanks, Bro!  

8 hours ago, AC Benus said:

Three wonderfully inspiring poems. I love the sensual, nearly peek-a-boo nature of "My Thai." It's a beautiful chase and catch where the catching is never in doubt. 

"Take a Leap!" is the voice of experience urging the timid to go on and try. I suppose so much of our own isolation and loneliness is self-imposed anyway, so your message will speak to nearly everyone. And speak encouragement to them. How great is that? 

Loved them 

Your words honor me AC. I have learned so much reading your poems and prose.  Working with you was exciting and enlightening.  It was this that first sparked in me the idea that I could write.  Thank you my kind muse! ❤️

This was wonderful! Good job @raven1. Can't wait to read more.

I thought I had already expressed my gratitude for this set of poetry, but i don't see a current comment from me.  @raven1 -- very well done.  

The Not So Traditional Haiku was very meaningful.  All were exceptionally enjoyable, but for some reason, that one spoke to me just slightly more than the others.  Thanks, Terry.

15 hours ago, Mrsgnomie said:

This was wonderful! Good job @raven1. Can't wait to read more.

Thanks @Mrsgnomie!  It's great to hear praise from a writer of your caliber.  I look forward to reading more of  your stories also.

I have started a poetry collection in Blackbird Singing which has a prompt response and haikus.  I will be adding a chapter of Tonka poems soon.  Thanks again for reading these.

15 hours ago, ReaderPaul said:

I thought I had already expressed my gratitude for this set of poetry, but i don't see a current comment from me.  @raven1 -- very well done.  

The Not So Traditional Haiku was very meaningful.  All were exceptionally enjoyable, but for some reason, that one spoke to me just slightly more than the others.  Thanks, Terry.

Thanks Paul!  I've enjoyed and appreciated your comments about both my poetry and other stories and poems written on GA.  Your support has made me happy and motivated to continue.  Thanks again!

Take a Leap! was sad, yet hopeful and presented a positive message.  My Thai was very lovingly written and very romantic.  I'm glad you found someone who makes you complete.  Congratulations to both of you.