Fallen through the cracks
Into
Betwixt and between places
All gaps
minded studiously
Never quite sure
when the destination is neverwhereDepression and despair ruled
deep and dark as the fathoms in
twenty thousand leagues under the seas
filled with Krakens and Leviathans
Monsters to haunt my night-time
Phantoms to stalk the corners of my eyesSerendipitously you found me
Lost in abusive fog
Never finding the way through
The mists of Avalon
My compass lacked self-belief
Trust that there is a way outCaring compassionate heart
Connecting soul deep
Broke isolation
Intense passionate eyes
Lighting a flame
snuffed long ago
Accepting and believing
Encouraging and positive
Slowly rekindling hope
Another vision of lifeNow, the path is still obscured
© REDCAT
But there is a way
I hold dear our time
The way your eyes never left mine
Until I saw me as you saw me
When I stumble and falter
The belief and strength
you showed in me
keeps me steady
Toiling along with newfound hope
Book Titles:
Neverwhere – One of the first book I read in English, and one I re-read many times. Along with most other books by one of my all time favorites Neil Gaiman.
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas – probably one of the first science fiction book I ever read and fell in love with. I still have my Swedish copy from the 1980s with reprints of the original illustrations.
I’d never thought I’d mention MBZ in negative terms, since The Mists of Avalon was so momentous to me, both in spiritual, personal, feminism ways and learning to read English to get access to all those science fiction and fantasy book out there. But such is the times we live in. This article has a spot on description of my reaction of first laying eyes on the book, and also shares my ambiguity on what to think about it now.
Written for PLAY IT AGAIN! with REAL TOADS.
My poem is in answer to 1 Poem, 3 Titles.
I really don’t have time to write, but my muse disagreed and I ended up losing sleep instead. :-)
Even I who only found the garden a third of a year ago is sad to see it end, but thankful it will remain as an archive for inspirations for years to come.
Happy new year everyone!
Can anyone point me in the direction of other inspiring prompts?
The world according to RedCat 
Ah, this is lovely and I can relate. I’ve been on vacation and nightmares are still plaguing me, sigh. But this poem ends so hopefully, I hope I hope it can go this way. Happy new year!
Excellent inclusion of the book titles into this dramatic monologue. Very well done.
What a creative piece using book titles. These days my nightmares come with my eyes wide open. I so so love the hope you end it with. Beautiful
I’ve read Neverwhere, too. It is a fantastic book, and I’m not usually into that genre. Neil Gaiman is a master.
I think I mostly dream nightmares… and especially the twenty thousand leagues under the sea is a book I remember.
I love this poem and have made the same journey. It takes friends to believe in our goodness for long enough for us to begin to believe in ourselves. Luckily the journey sends many such guides our way. So happy to have met you through the Garden and hope our paths continue to cross!
“My compass lacked self-belief” ~ what an intriguing way to describe floundering about … as I certainly have. Happy New Year.
I like that ultimately the message is positive.
Poets United https://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/
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You might also like to sign up for regular emails of Diane Lockward’s wonderful Poetry Newsletter which includes prompts. You can do this via her website: https://dianelockward.blogspot.com/
“Until I saw me as you saw me”