Photo: pixabay.com
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” Douglas Adams
I have a memory
of something of a start
collected in the eras
of my many beginnings,
of a long gestated spark
that torched a path,
and, as I look back
I see the embers glowing,
though time is
now extinguishing
my lived meaning.
©Paul Vincent Cannon
Paul, pvcann.com
Filed under Free Verse, life, mindfulness, poem, Quadrille, quote
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Relax! Let your eyes wander and quiet your mind with some visual therapy. A picture is always more than you can see. You will also find my own illustrations, animations and sometimes short stories. You never know what you will find so make sure to come back.
Literary Adventures
A love story that meets travel and nature
Questioning the conventional wisdom
Judaism, work, life, poetry, etc. Not code for "single and looking". This is not a dating blog.
Facets of Life- Poetry, Writing, Literature, and Philosophy
Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air
Creativity meeting intrinsic memories
A community page for those inspired by nature.
Sarah Torribio and her right brain. Music. Musings. Writing. Style.
Relax! Let your eyes wander and quiet your mind with some visual therapy. A picture is always more than you can see. You will also find my own illustrations, animations and sometimes short stories. You never know what you will find so make sure to come back.
parallax 
I cannot comment on this because you did not use the word for.the Quadrille.
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Extinguised 🙂 that is the word from extinction
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So, from the rules – must contain the word, or some form of the word, so I used extinguished as a form of the word.
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This a beautiful poem! I love the images you wove into this one!
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Thank you for the wonderful compliment Dwight, very much appreciated. I did love the prompt, I was kind of sitting with the thought before hand so when the prompt came the words poured out.
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It is amazing how that happens. Some things just click, others wait awhile!
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Yes, i do agree, that’s how I experience it.
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Another one that strikes a chord! Beautiful.
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I feel like my inside is out at the moment, a lot pouring out. Thank you so much Punam.
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It is good to be inside out from time time, helps in clearing all that clogs our innards. Always a pleasure, Paul.
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I agree Punam, well said.
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The poem struck a chord with me as well. I so want to keep those embers burning.
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I really appreciate your reflecting back and sharing that.
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Great quote to launch the words filled with a nostalgic memories.
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Thank you so much Astrid, much appreciated.
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Your poem feels a little melancholy to me, or maybe it’s because I’m feeling melancholy. I learned today that one of my former co-worker’s 20 year-old son OD’d and is on life support. About 2 weeks ago one of my former co-worker’s sons was gunned down in the street. He was due to start college the next day.
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I am so sorry to hear that.
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Well, mostly reflective on life changes coming on the horizon, and what that means in terms of identity and role. Thank you Liz.
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Thank you, it is appreciated.
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No wonder you’re feeling that way, that is heavy news and shock, grief, a load. I’ve been in a phase of dreams and reflections on what happens next for me, which is not yet, but not overly far away.
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It’s hard to wrap my mind around. The kid who was shot had gotten himself together and was on a good path. The kid who OD’d did what kids across the globe have done forever but had a horrible reaction. Two unreasonable deaths 😦 Dreams and reflections are preparing you for the next step. I’ll be interested in hearing what’s on your horizon.
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Yes, I wondering that too. Thank you Lisa.
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You’re welcome.
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🙂
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🙂 You, Paul, followed the rules for writing this poem to the very end. Don’t let them extinguish your well-meaning!
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I thought so too, I’m not sure what the person was thinking really, never mind. No, one must never be silenced or censored. I really appreciate your thought on this Tom 🙂
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A great and beautiful poeme!1
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Thank you very much for that Isabel.
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Resonates…you have beautifully expressed some of my recent pondering. Thank you.
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Thank you for sharing that Heather, Later life is tricky.
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That it is! A pleasure, as always.
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🙂
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Sounds a little sad. But I think we’re always where we’re supposed to be.
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Yes, I think that too.
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The sense of loss is palpable here Paul.
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Yes, a turning and a letting go, thank you for sharing that Linda.
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My pleasure.
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I particularly liked the ending
“though time is
now extinguishing
my lived meaning.”
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Many thanks Phillip, appreciate that.
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Interesting reflection.
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That initial awareness of life stage.
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I’m there at the moment.
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Ah, we share a boat. 😀
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Yes! 🙂
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Well I consider that I am in good reflective company 🙂
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Likewise 🙂
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I like the thought of looking back and seeing at least some embers glowing on the path of one’s lived meaning.
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Yes, I was reflecting on a life stage and the change, and wondering, as I do, a melancholy.
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Age robs a bit more of “us” every day Paul.
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Yes, it sure does Rob, you’ve got the nub of my melancholy.
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I love this line:
“collected in the eras
of my many beginnings”
And the gentle slant rhyme of start/spark.
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That line was my hook, it grew from there. It all comes from recent dreams and reflections. Thank you so much.
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Don’t you just love it when your Muse gifts you with a hook?
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O absolutely Liz 🙂
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I really love that thought of many beginnings… to me life is more the endless beginnings coming together in one final end.
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I like your thinking, thank you for sharing that Bjorn.
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I rarely take exception to your words, however I don’t think time is going to extinguish one bit of your life’s meaning.
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No, that’s true, it was more the feeling that came with an initial reflection, which then did lead to a recognition of the very words you have shared, I was just laying bare my early melancholy.
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Totally understandable — have been known to do it myself a time or sixty-eleven!
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Lol, I like your maths.
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Cool. Time, the great extinguisher. This has a good sound and rhythm to it.
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Thank you for sharing that, I really appreciate that.
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There is a sadness about this poem
>
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Yes, a response to events in my thinking futures.
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Paul, that Douglas Adams quote above your poem is one of my favorite quotes. It suits me perfectly. The path I started out on after college did not take me where I thought I was going, but I am content now in the assurance that I am exactly where I was supposed to be all along.
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Wonderful and thank you for sharing a slice of your journey, yes, I too love that quote for similar reasons. Thank you Janet.
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All we are are beginnings and endings. Thanks so much for the lovely poem.
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Thank you so much for sharing that.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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