For the (fictional) series, "Edges"
Narrator's voice
Cottage Down the Track
Narrator's voice
Cottage Down the Track
A dog barked from the secluded home
tucked between forest and water,
protesting at being left while its people
set out on the track to the market.
A Spartan dwelling, one might observe,
but cosy enough, and very private, away
from society's harm. Not for the gregarious,
it could suit the hardy and self-sufficient.
On balmy nights the sound of the sea
would be sweet reassurance. Although
they can't grow all they'd like in sandy soil,
they can grow enough. And they fish.
*********
The startling reunion began with tentative talk
gradually replacing initial mistrust. After all,
there had been other loves of the heart, other
memories and losses. There's no going back.
What there is, is the action called "going forward".
They haven't mastered that art, perhaps won't
in whatever time's left. But they have chosen
to journey the next part of the adventure together.
They don't believe in or expect the fairytale
"Happy Ever After". But they have learned there are
Guardian Angels, even for recalcitrant lovers,
and they're willing to take some new chances.
. . . there are Guardian Angels . . . " Oh, yes. A lovely edge of the earth.
ReplyDeleteThe hardy of heart, who dare to risk the heart again. Bravo to them! I enjoyed this read, imagining their cozy dwelling. And the dog.
ReplyDeleteI love the optimistic ending - the ending of the mistrust, the journeying forward together - however long the journey is ahead of them.
ReplyDeleteIs just the first section nw? I like the dog at the cottage, as it is never completely abandoned. And to grow enough and fish is nurture. The rest I still love, the going forward in a wistful new key.
ReplyDeleteNo, it's still just as I wrote it in March, but it's six months since you and Sherry first saw it and commented. It's quite a long series and it has been a very gradual process to share it poem by poem over all these months, though it only took 5 weeks to write and post. Not surprising if you only partly remember any individual poems you happened to see earlier.
DeleteOh this is cool. An unexpected romance can add much to older years for those who have the energy, lol.
ReplyDelete"What there is, is the action called "going forward"." I love this, whether for growing enough or fishing or for taking new chances. A good one Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem Rosemary. Even a sip of water is better than none.
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad you like it – as you are the expert on love stories!
DeleteGreat narrative - I was really immersed in the scene
ReplyDeletethere are
ReplyDeleteGuardian Angels, even for recalcitrant lovers,.... there is hope in that in the nicest cottage by the sea, catch your own supper kind of way!
Life - we must always take the chances where they fall.
ReplyDeletelove the pieces of the puzzle narrative to this relationship - and your last lines should be written in stone - the epitome of hope there
ReplyDeleteI really like that last verse. I imagine some guardian angels have tougher jobs than others, but seeing that rekindled bit of happiness in their charges always gives them hope.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely stunning both in words and image💞 I can picture the "the secluded home tucked between forest and water" and love the idea of one being "hardy and self-sufficient".. could the impossible ensue that we could carry ourselves through life's ordeal and needn't worry about heart being blue?💞
ReplyDeleteNot a fairytale 'happy ever after' ending but i think still a happy ending. :)
ReplyDeleteTheir home, what a wonderful base from which to take those tentative steps forward, forward to a possible mending of hearts and trust.
ReplyDeleteI do hope the Guardian Angels forever watch over them.
Anna :o]
I like the idea of a 'secluded home / tucked between forest and water', Rosemary - the best of both worlds and being self-sufficient is so appealing - but I feel sorry for the dog being left alone. I'm glad that the baggage of memories and losses didn't get in the way of the adventure together. Thank goodness for Guardian Angels!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they'll be back soon, with a treat for the dog! (Smile.)
DeleteAfter being so struck by the Guardian Angels with specific interests I find myself imagining each poem narrated by a series of them, unseen but close. And definitely tramping by the cottage and being greeted by the dog. :) Lovely scene all around.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you capture both the place (almost through the eye of the dog) and the way they are trying a way to go forward, knowing the traps they know of the risks but see the rewards.
ReplyDeleteThe sound of the sea saved them. I could live there.
ReplyDeleteOh, that house seems the place to be -- I like the idea of a Spartan dwelling.
ReplyDeleteI really like your series -- I have come to read several parts, if not the entirety of it. This one carries the same weight of rejuvenating something that has been lost and going forward is the action to be taken. I love the use of "recalcitrant lovers" and the new chances give us all hope.
-HA
[What there is, is the action called "going forward".]
ReplyDeleteLuv this momentum in your story poem Rosemary. Happy Sunday
Much🎶💛🎶love
I am really enjoy reading the "Series".
ReplyDeleteZQ
Glad you have enjoyed. This was the final poem. (There are gaps in the story; but my protagonists – who turned up in my head unexpectedly – only gave me glimpses.)
DeleteThe last stanza is wonderful, their love and their hope. They can grow enough and they can fish. And they have a dog to guard them. I loved this poem.
ReplyDeleteLovely read, and good for them!
ReplyDeleteInteresting narrative. I love your series. And a pragmatic viewpoint- by the characters.
ReplyDeleteI love the storyteller/sage philosopher vibe channeling through this. My favorite line: 'On balmy nights the sound of the sea would be sweet reassurance.' ~ lovely … sigh ~
ReplyDeleteGuardian angels for recalcitrant lovers....please post business card:)
ReplyDeleteA peaceful life they mus be living!
ReplyDeleteLoved the atmosphere created here.... Beautiful closing lines!!
ReplyDeleteI find the one of hope on which this poem ends to be highly inspiring.
ReplyDelete