journey

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/ A. Gouedard / Leave a comment

The river always pulled this way,
quiet in its flowing.
I followed close
but had no way of knowing.
I only had a longing,
undefined, unsatisfied,
a well too deep to fathom.
I bowed my head in sorrow.

But life is strange.
The river curved and flowed away.
I could only follow.
It lead me to a pasture.
The waters pooled.
The stars, reflected,
shifted,
a secret, silent mirror.

When night was at its darkest,
I made a lonely sojourn here,
So tired from this journey.

I lit a fire.
It flamed
It burned.
I built it to a beacon.
You saw it where you wandered.

Home was never truly home
until you came to share it.
The light was never quite so bright
nor the fire so strong
until you sat beside me.
And now each night
I sit with you
and count my lucky stars

Treason

/ A. Gouedard / Leave a comment

my words were lashed,
in bonds of my own making,
with good sense and clear reason,
to stop foundations shaking
for any word i spoke out loud
might all amount to treason

my tongue was tied
my body bound
my dreams were all illusion
the roses scattered at my feet
fell in dark profusion

the bridge of stone was empty now.
loves promise had betrayed me.
i wrapped myself, against the cold,
and wondered at my purpose

but i heard waters singing
beneath the bridge
beneath the ice
beneath the river’s surface

i followed in its journey
for there is no returning

 

Return

/ A. Gouedard / 1 Comment

tell me your dreams and tell me them true

tell me of days when you were a child

i need to better remember you

when it all comes round again in a while

 

tell me your hopes, tell me your fears

tell me the paths of your ancestral home

tell me your journey through the long years

let our lives link wher’ver we may roam

 

meet me again on the other side

reborn again, a boy and a girl

stars will cross and circles collide

when we awaken anew to this world

 

we will be young, but we can be wise

let me see love again shine in your eyes

 

 

Meeting My Inner Child

/ A. Gouedard / 1 Comment

in the midst of a storm of thunder

when hail stones fell from dark skies

a child came crawling to me

he came to me from his mother

sent into my protection

he was little more than a babe

 

i stopped and stooped to lift him

i looked into his soft little face

i saw bright eyes full of wonder

he seemed made of wonder and grace

i placed him onto my back

 

i told him to cling very tight

but he flung himself backward to earth

beyond where my hands could reach

i turned and raised him again

held him in tender embrace

 

i explained he had to be strong

for a journey

arduous

long

but we’d be safe

in the end

 

he smiled at me

like a friend

 

 

 

The Circle II

/ A. Gouedard / Leave a comment

Though we see their faces no more
those who have left us speak to us still
and always will. We hear their wise words,
when we are left far behind on the shore.
Recalled by the friends and family
and all who love them before
we can hear their voices speak in our hearts.
We do not part. They speak from our Ancestors halls.

Where one season ends another begins
as nature shows us again and again.
We pass through our spring and our summer
and the golden gathering time of the Fall.
Winter is not an endless cold season.
There is a journey ahead. No end at all.

The Truth

/ A. Gouedard / Leave a comment

 

i made a long journey
like many before me
i had my fair share
of incidents, mishaps
some were of my own making,
others were simply there,
awaiting the unwary traveller

i learned much of the woods
how to read all the signs
and hear the approach
of the seekers of prey

i had little respect
for robbers and bandits
i had seen all their kind before
i held no vendetta against them
i dislike them neither more, nor less, now
than i did when i took to the road

i had made my own problems too
i wished to be left alone
sometimes yearning for home
it’s true

woods seem full of shadows
but darkness contrasts the light
and lets in the brightness of day
where is gleams through the branches
making clearer the safer way

i came to a clearing and rested
enjoying the peace,
listening to leaves sigh high on a breeze
above in the trees that whispered

if only i could stay
resting here forever
i looked at the paths leading on

it was a beautiful day
i felt some sense of completion

a sharp snap and an echo
the silence was gone
the sound of movement,
coming towards me,
secretly, fast

i felt a moment of panic
caught unaware
as they gathered around
to circle and slay me at last

calming my mind
i looked at the paths
the choices were many
which one should it be

i heard a signal
the voice of a raven
he stood in the sunlight
on a broad ancient branch of a tree
lit against shadow
by a path i instantly knew

it was as i had always imagined
well lit and wide open
it shone out beckoning me
nothing to fear any more
my weariness melted away
i saw i was home
this open wide path
lead straight to the door
where my soul awaited within

 

 

Good Morning Soul

/ A. Gouedard / Leave a comment

Good morning Soul
What a bright sunny day!

My Soul smiles at me
”I’m so glad you feel that way
as the day holds some
challenges
choices
I hope you are well prepared,
as I suggested?”

”Ah my Soul,
is not all life a preparation?
If it’s a challenge
I expect I can manage
I always get by somehow
If it’s a choice
I hope to make a wise one”

There is a doubt
at the back of my mind
about this
but I don’t express it

”What worries me”
said my Soul
”Is you don’t always
avoid the damage.
Ask your heart
how it feels
about this approach.
Are you sure
you are being honest
with regard to the toll
it all takes?”

If I can’t tell my soul
who will I tell?
So I admit
I tire of some struggles.
I ask for further advice.

My soul smiles again
with a tender expression.
”See it all as simple lessons.
One step at a time.
No pressure.
In the final days
it is I who will judge you
with compassion
and understanding.
I love you
above all things.”

I was so glad to hear this.
I may reach a place
where we both are at peace
without further need
of compassion.
All I must do
is save my own Soul
by loving it
more completely.

The Fool

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When the day was young the Fool stepped out
A rose in his hand and free of care
He walked though fields of fresh spring flowers
He had no thought for passing hours
Or the perils of the journey far ahead
He had never heard of learning

He climbed a mountain to its peak
He looked up to the sun above
Unaware of the shadows at his feet
His open innocence was complete
He ignored the instincts of his dog
Who yapped and growled to warn him

The Fool stepped out to the precipice
A merry tune upon his lips
Merry hey hi down dilly sang he
Oh he sang so prettily
While the void opened wide before him
And down he tumbled into life

The Fool now faces many choices
He began the journey and must go on
It may be short or it may be long
He may be weak or he may be strong
But in time he will return to this peak
And gaze out, as a wise man

 

the-fool

 

 

Pandora had Hope

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open the lid of the memory chest
gaze inward at confusing profusions

happiness followed by sorrow, sadness,
unhealed wounds, unasked questions, no answers,
answers that came too late to be useful,
loud echoing moans of passion and pain
treasured hearts and momentary wishes
a shining smile hangs transfixed there in time

decisions made, regrets still regretted,
unfair accusations, retributions,
poets, madmen, traditions, musicians,
denials, betrayals, indiscretions,
honour, bravery, loyalty, liars
those dark places i found myself trapped in

all life packed away in a box, neatly
layers upon layers gathering dust
the past can haunt you for evil or good
the journey still waits, the road is ahead
fast slam the lid shut, forget all you saw
banish all visions, dream instead, lock it

a small voice still calls me from deep inside
i throw the lid open, once more in hope,
up flies my glorious hand stitched banner
with one word boldly emblazoned, a flame,
triumphant emblem, my name, ”Survivor”
written in gold on blue heaven, it sails