As he inches along
the edges of his frayed soul
he finds a student
cross legged with a notebook
ready for life’s lessons
As a bubbling ocean-
life is a muddle
without solution
He learns that the joy of life
-is in its mystery
©Vivian Zems
(#Quadrille)
De hosts dVerse tonight with the word ‘muddle’- in a quadrille (44 word poem)
Smell The Coffee 
May 7, 2018 at 8:44 pm
Oh I so much agree… it’s the questions and never the answers that is the beauty of life.
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May 7, 2018 at 8:47 pm
I think this is a state I should be in, for sure:
“cross legged with a notebook”
This is beautiful. There is so much joy in the unknown, in the yet undiscovered.
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May 7, 2018 at 9:06 pm
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everybody could learn that lesson?
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May 7, 2018 at 9:06 pm
I agree that the joy of life is in its mystery.
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May 7, 2018 at 10:32 pm
Yes–especially those last lines!
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May 7, 2018 at 10:33 pm
Exactly!!!! The joy is in the mystery….and happiness is a choice! 🙂 LOVE this response to the prompt.
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May 7, 2018 at 10:45 pm
The imagery and ideas in this poem are lovely, especially the bubbling ocean. If I may make a suggestion: The repeated “As” takes away to me. To strengthen the poem, I think you could change the beginning phrase to “Inching along” or change the second “As” to “Like”. I personally like the second suggestion because like would lead to life which is a nice parallel in my opinion.
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May 8, 2018 at 9:18 am
Thank you for the tips. I’ve taken them on board for future writes. My muse seemed happy with this one and I tend not to argue with her. 🙂
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May 7, 2018 at 10:45 pm
Oh yes 💜💜 wonderfully deep and wise poem, Viv 😍
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May 8, 2018 at 9:18 am
Thanks, Sanaa!
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May 7, 2018 at 10:55 pm
What a lovely, deep poem!
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May 8, 2018 at 9:17 am
Thanks, Jo!
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May 8, 2018 at 12:07 am
“A mystery to be endured, not a puzzle to be solved,” said (sort of) Flannery O’Conner. I would add here that life is a mystery to be experienced–an ideal you incarnate in a few beautifully written lines! 🙂
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May 8, 2018 at 1:28 am
kaykuala
He learns that the joy of life
-is in its mystery
Wise words, Vivian! Take a little inconvenience but enjoy what fun that comes with it!
Hank
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May 8, 2018 at 9:07 am
Absolutely! Thanks, Hank 🙂
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May 8, 2018 at 2:01 am
The mystery is before all of us, waiting to be explored.
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May 8, 2018 at 9:07 am
Indeed!
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May 8, 2018 at 7:50 am
I love the phrase in the opening lines: ‘inches along / the edges of his frayed soul’,which expresses weariness so beautifully, and the contrast between the soul weary and the fresh-faced student ‘cross legged with a notebook’. It doesn’t take much to learn that the joy of life is in its mystery – just a walk on the beach, which I will be doing this week to bring me back to life! I’ll be getting my bike out too! 🙂
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May 8, 2018 at 9:06 am
Thanks Kim! And good for you! Which beach.. if I may ask?
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May 8, 2018 at 9:10 am
Possibly Horsey or I might drive to Cromer but not until Friday – I’m bogged down with all sorts.
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May 8, 2018 at 9:11 am
Nice! Have fun… and pics please 🙂
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May 8, 2018 at 9:27 am
I still have the photos from Sundays walk to work on! 🙂
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May 8, 2018 at 7:06 pm
😊
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May 8, 2018 at 11:57 am
As always simple but poignant..❤
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May 8, 2018 at 11:58 am
And*
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May 10, 2018 at 2:03 pm
Thank you! 😊
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May 11, 2018 at 5:35 am
You are welcome😁
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May 8, 2018 at 3:04 pm
Much wisdom in your words, lovely Vivian 🙂
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May 10, 2018 at 2:02 pm
Thanks OD!
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May 8, 2018 at 3:46 pm
Joy in mystery! I like that!
Dwight
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May 10, 2018 at 2:02 pm
Thanks Dwight!
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May 8, 2018 at 5:11 pm
Lovely! But a struggle for us who want to understand everything.
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May 10, 2018 at 2:02 pm
I’m sure! 😂
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May 8, 2018 at 8:54 pm
Ah, beautiful!
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May 8, 2018 at 9:15 pm
Oh, so true!!!
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May 8, 2018 at 9:39 pm
🙂
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May 13, 2018 at 12:09 am
So true…and beautifully expressed.
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May 15, 2018 at 12:03 am
Thank you! 😊
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