Sunday 26 July 2015

road to nowhere

the road pretended to lead 
somewhere, mischievously

but i went along with it, anyway

gathering my thoughts  
knowing there would be no destination

greenery splashed and speckled capriciously
and the surroundings took on the illusion
of an unfolding pillared place
but open ended
. . . a breezy open winding space

from time to time, light scattered

in broken prisms, struck by a wizard's wand

and as i rambled on, i came atop a breathless hill
and caught sight of a small, ordinary pond

where the fragrance of cedar and wet earth
remain yet, more permanent in my mind
than if set down in pen and ink 


for i thought it smelled like freedom . . .
if freedom had a scent . . . standing there
wrapped in wild woods, under heaven – 
on a road that led nowhere

note:  posted for "Poets United".

photo:  Road to Nowhere - W. Bourke

© 2015 Wendy Bourke

21 comments:

  1. it's time to embrace your discovery - it may not be what you expected but nevertheless it gave you an opportunity to appreciate the moment.

    freedom, it is

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  2. Sometimes when we travel unknowingly towards a foreign destination we end up on a path to self discovery! Beautifully executed :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  3. The recognition of the smell of freedom. Is a lovely metaphor for self realization
    Have a good Sunday

    Much love...

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  4. for i thought it smelled like freedom . . .
    if freedom had a scent . . . standing there
    – wrapped in wild woods,

    Freedom is elusive! It needs to be discovered in ordinary things that often are not apparent. You've indicated it here that it needs the conscious mind to detect it. Rightly so Wendy!

    Hank

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  5. Oh you took me there, so beautifully! What a spot!!!!!!

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  6. This 'road to nowhere' led somewhere beautiful, I think. And if it led to freedom, what more could one want?

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  7. knowing there would be no destination.... that drew me into your poem... sometimes sheer instinct drives us down a path that we cannot conceive the end of.

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  8. Discovering somewhere new particularly in the wild is much like discovering yourself and being pleased you are alive.

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  9. it's so beautifully written that i could visualize the whole scene...the road leading to nowhere truly becomes the symbol of freedom...

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  10. Roads that lead nowhere often lead back to where they started - as did this wonderful poem

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  11. Good one
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  12. If freedom does have a scent - I think the smell of cedar and of that moment after rain would be a lovely fragrance for it. Ha. Sounds like your little adventure led to a nice surprise

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  13. Wendy, your poem is beautiful. I like the connection between freedom and an open ended path. We are free to chose, and also flow. Lovely!

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  14. Beautiful write Wendy--I think freedom must smell that way too--

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  15. Beautiful write Wendy--I think freedom must smell that way too--

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  16. I think for a poet such an experience would be more important than getting somewhere. Great poem.

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  17. "for I thought it smelled like freedom, if freedom had a scent"---oh my. this is is glorious.....and who doesn't want to experience the freedom of travelling on that road to nowhere??

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  18. 'To travel is more important than to arrive'? (Smile.) The photo looks very like a track I used to walk when I lived near it. It led nowhere too, and was worth walking all the same.

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  19. Wendy this is a beautiful poem...I have encountered that path at times...

    'for i thought it smelled like freedom . . .
    if freedom had a scent . . . standing there
    – wrapped in wild woods, under heaven –
    on a road that led nowhere'

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  20. I like this, the road to nowhere that pretended to lead somewhere and did in fact lead to freedom.

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  21. Very informative, keep posting such good articles, it really helps to know about things.

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