dVerse Poets – Open Link Night
Grace at dVerse is hosting Open Link Night, the night we contribute a poem without a prompt.
Photo: Lake Ballard, near Menzies
“I dwell in possibility.” Emily Dickinson
Paying Attention
In the midst of hostility
where the dry arid ground
desired to earth my bones
and break my roots,
there I conquered my fear,
that petty thief,
taking shelter in myself,
living into the
trace of thoughts embodied
in my ordeal of solitude,
paying attention to the
emerging, shimmering, horizon,
beckoning,
smiling.
©Paul Vincent Cannon
Paul, pvcann.com
parallax 
Isolation is an interesting state – can tear us down, and at the same time, illuminate and set free. Well written, Paul.
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It is as you say, I have spent much time in solitude, by choice and for that very purpose. It’s very different if it is forced, though some cope (Nelson Mandela). Thank you for sharing your insight and for your encouraging words VJ.
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So welcome, Paul.
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there I conquered my fear…well nowadays a lot of people experience fear and dont know how to cope.
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Sadly so Gerhard, and that’s often played out to negatives that affect so many.
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I mean the Corona virus that effects strongly Europe. NOBODY can forsee what future brings.
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No, and already it plays negative, hoarding, panic, only a percentage but annoying.
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There are people who haven’t understood it yet.
People buy shelves empty and people continue to party.
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Yes, same here.
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That doesn’t surprise me
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I wish it were otherwise
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Many young people say: It doesn’t concern me. And get sick. And take the bed away from someone else who needs help, perhaps because of cancer.
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Yes, big discussion on that over here.
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Beautiful the way you have penned
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Thank you so much for sharing that.
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My pleasure
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SelfSelf-chosen loneliness is sometimes the only way to find yourself.
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It sure is Michael, so agree.
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We all need to be paying better attention.
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We sure do, and now the time.
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Rays of sunshine and hope to warm me on this cold and sunny Saturday.
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Thank you Liz, yes, we need to keep looking for the good.
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🙂
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Great poem – love the photo
>
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Memories.
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Stay positive and keep up the cheerful spirit!
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Yes, this is a time to connect and support.
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Nice lines: “there I conquered my fear,
that petty thief,
taking shelter in myself,” I like the portrayal of fear as a thief.
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I sure have felt that at times, it sneaks in. Thank you Frank.
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A wonderful poem for these times. I admire the feeling of hope juxtaposed with reality. Hope you are well!
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Well and well, I sure hope you are too, and thank you.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Many thanks Charles
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Fear, like anger, can be a gift. You are a gift too.
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So dope
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