For dVerse today I have written a little poem to this fine picture by Kelvin’s drawing Crossing the Desert

we started very long ago
for goal that just a few did know
and sometimes people join our quest
but every day is just the same
it’s sand, it’s sand and yet more sand
and every week we reach a well
they could be just the same or not
a rumor says that no one knows
and that the goal is just our march
through sand and sand and yet more sand
I think a few of us have died
and soon I think it will be me
I’ll be replaced here in the ranks
and purpose is for me to die
in sand, in sand and yet more sand
—
February 23 2013
I felt like the wandering people, walking to the “promised land” ~
Specially like the refraining last line, sands, and more sands ~
Grace
Thank you..I had some metaphor for our human kind in mind, so a march towards a promised land it could be 🙂
dang…harsh life…but for some reason they set off on that trek…as we all do…and sadly we find ourselves wandering wondering where the heck we have gotten to….
Exactly 🙂
…aww… this is fantastic… like the movements and light appeal of your entire scene…plus you’ve got the perfect refrain here…. you’re good too with you syllabic count… ah what can i say… i’m just honoured you used my artwork here… really fine job of depicting that infinite journey to unknown result… yet keep on moving on and on by strong faith… quite a lesson of perseverance & patience… smiles..
Thank you. This endless journey without purpose is something I use sometimes in my writing. 🙂
Your poem has me thinking about the goal being just the march. I think this may be true for all of us as we travel through life. The journey itself is what is important.
Exactly.. But for many it’s just sand…
Maybe the meaning is in the wells and in the company.
Thank you.
Terrific, onward we walk, the goal sometimes unknown and yet we continue to march and finally turn to sand… really well done.
Thank you 🙂 sad reality
Lovely rhythm and rhyme… the cadence fits the picture perfectly… but how torturous to have to endure that sand day in and day out.
Sad truth of reality
Lovely read. The iambic rhythm is perfect. And the language is natural. I perceive the life you picture as devastating, and by picturing a desert walk you make a contrast to the life of a husband man working with growth, joyfully growing by that. Very nice.
Thank you.. Eller tusen tack.
Nicely penned! I hope your conquer the sand though my friend it would be a dusty end. 🙂
Thank you 🙂
…unending sand…no oasis? I liked this very much as a descriptive poem and as an existential statement 😉
Yes, it is an awful way, and in the end there is no goal.
The liked the repeating lines or chorus. Are not we all like nomads, wondering in the desert like they did so many years ago, for much of the same reasons. Excellente.
I think as a metaphor this endless wandering can be used in many ways.
I like the rhythm of this and the chorus. Very musical.
I love to play with my dear iambs. They can be awfully effective.
Bjorn, I have to say I especially like the way you play with sound in your work. The repetition is hypnotic. Poor wanderer.
Alliterations and rhythm are fun to play with.
…especially when the result is so darned good!
lovely thought behind the lines Bjorn!
beautiful contemplation !!!
the goal is just our march through sand
a few of us have died and soon it will be me
this feels to me like humanity and our misfit with ecology, our transience. there are places in the world where this is a tangible truth.
strong imagery.
The way of the world. We venture out but may not know each other. We accomplish as much but still lots to be done. Someone takes over later and the cycle goes on, This relates to many instances. Nice thoughts Bjorn!
Hank
so reminds me of Moses in the wilderness for 40 years… nice reflection on the pic
Wow – so haunting and melodic! Felt like Sisyphus reading this – which fits really well with the painting.
Yikes. The hour glass runs on. K.
Round and round in circles:
the monotony and hopelessness comes across so well.
Great accompaniment to the image.
Your poem put me in mind of the legend of Sisyphus eternally rolling his rock up a hill. Sand, sand and more sand ….
Love the repetition, it works well in this. Nice capture.
🙂 love the repetition…. and all the poem. A sea of sand… 🙂
This is the image I liked best too, love the way you used it!