At dVerse Ingrid is hosting Poetics with an invitation to write a poem using narrative voice.
dVerse Poets – Poetics – Exploring the Narrative Voice
“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.” Michel de Montaigne
In These Moments My heart is weighted and I must move into an unknown without my crutches which are leaning against the balustrade of friendships that are a kindness to me; however, this moment is mine alone if I choose to embrace its ambiguous intrusion, begging persistently for a decision that can only arise through painstaking discernment which will point me somewhere, just not here, and hopefully not to the shore of illusions; it is in these moments that I know I am an island, yet not alone. ©Paul Vincent Cannon
parallax 
Mind satisfying photo!
And touching poem!
” Island and……… not alone! ”
Fantastic!
We should learn the message!
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I’m working on it, imagine if we did it naturally 😉
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Beautiful writing, Paul. You said this ended up being you, but there is a universality to it, so it does not necessarily have to be about you alone. Great photo too!
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That helped, I went back and was less harsh on myself 🙂 Many thanks for that Ingrid.
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it is in these moments that I know I am
an island, yet not alone.
Deep lines, enjoyed your poem and photo. 🙂
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The phrase “no man is an island” came to mind while reading this thoughtful poem. Good write!
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Yes, that is always in the back of my mind – an early learning exercise at school, and counterposed with Simon and Garfunkle’s hit. Many thanks Beverly.
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Bev and I on the same wave length as usual … I have always loved the song ‘No Man is an Island’ ~ performed it many times. Bravo, great write.
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Yes, Donne’s work is often in my mind, and counterposed with Simon and Garfunkle too, thank you Helen.
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It is not always easy to work the word balustrade into a post.
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It railed me in 🙂 yes, it just popped up, and it surprised me.
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none of us is an island ggreta poem
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Thank you
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… an island, yet not alone…. Took me back to Simon and Garfunkle who wrote just the opposite… I am a rock, I am an island….
without feelings or pain.
Very nicely done Paul.
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Yes, that is often in my mind and I find it’s contrast in often of my fave poems – John Donne’s No Man Is An island, two ideas that converge for me, thank you so much Dwight.
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You are welcome Paul!
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As others have noted, the notion of being an island yet not alone particuarly resonates.
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Yes, we can only deal with our own stuff, It makes for a sober reflection.
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I love the seeming contradiction of the island and “not alone”.
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Yes, we are responsible for ourselves but we are not alone. Thank you Michael.
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:-)) xx
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Yes, that crazy paradox. Many thanks Michael.
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:-))
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Many thanks chuck, much appreciated as always.
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Always a pleasure to read and share your posts with followers, Paul!! Have a great day!
😊👍✨✨🎉
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Excellent Paul, so well written! Kind of an everyman tale…
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Absolutely, many thanks Rob, much appreciated.
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This is incredibly profound, Paul! 💝💝 The closing line left me quite breathless…
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Thank you for your generous spirit Sanaa, I value your response.
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A very beautiful reflective poem
>
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Many thanks
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