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The Ground You Walk On

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The Ground You Walk On

It is on this ground that I took my first steps
Unsure, shaking and stumbling
The road straight and narrow
Merciful to someone young and naïve
Over time it became uneven
With twists and turns
At times unnavigable
Bottomless potholes hidden
beneath puddles of rain
Deep cracks to trap and trip
Ensnaring those without caution
It was on the same ground
that I worshipped you
You, who would lead me along
with a promise
Never to be kept
This ground hard and unforgiving
Hurting my bones
Blistering my soles
I kissed this ground you walked on
And it led me on a road to nowhere


Copyright © 2021 Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing
All Rights Reserved

Ingrid is hosting D'Verse Poets tonight and has prompted us
with concrete poetry.
For this challenge, I want you to write a poem using only concrete nouns,
subject matter and imagery. For the purposes of this exercise, the
following words are banned: soul, love, lust, dreams, sorrow, suffering,
heartache, wonder, etc. 

Image by jplenio from Pixabay

  26 comments for “The Ground You Walk On”

  1. sanaarizvi
    November 4, 2021 at 5:23 pm

    This is incredibly evocative, Christine! 💝 The metaphor works so well in describing the consequences of following a path that seems alluring to one at first.

    • Christine Bolton
      November 5, 2021 at 7:43 pm

      Thank you dear Sanaa. ☺️💕 Yes we all veer off road from time to time!

  2. K.Hartless
    November 3, 2021 at 9:13 pm

    Brilliant build to your metaphor here. We get to walk that road with you before we know what it signifies.

    • Christine Bolton
      November 3, 2021 at 9:54 pm

      Thank you. You’re so kind 😳💕

  3. Grace
    November 3, 2021 at 8:34 pm

    I love the metaphor of this journey though the ending was filled with sadness.

    • Christine Bolton
      November 3, 2021 at 9:54 pm

      Such is life sometimes. Thanks Grace 💕☺️

  4. Anonymous
    November 3, 2021 at 3:58 pm

    Lovely imagery. This made me think of the line from Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet in the section on love:
    “When love beckons to you, follow him,
    Though his ways are hard and steep.”

    • Sunra Rainz
      November 3, 2021 at 3:59 pm

      Oops, I’ve come up as anonymous – it’s Sunra Rainz here!

      • Christine Bolton
        November 3, 2021 at 9:46 pm

        Thank you for letting me know Sunra ☺️💕

    • Christine Bolton
      November 3, 2021 at 9:44 pm

      Thank you Sunra! What a beautiful quote you shared. ☺️💕

  5. Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
    November 3, 2021 at 3:58 pm

    Life is full of blind alleys. I love how you worked with the extended metaphor all the way with those concrete images.

    • Christine Bolton
      November 3, 2021 at 9:50 pm

      Thank you. I appreciate it very much ☺️

  6. Ron.
    November 3, 2021 at 1:22 pm

    Fine realization of the bumpy / uncertain / un-navigable road some relationships can be. Solid, concrete imagery. Salute!

    • Christine Bolton
      November 3, 2021 at 9:50 pm

      Thanks so much Ron ☺️💕

  7. Helen L Dehner
    November 3, 2021 at 11:02 am

    This digs deep ~~~ great poem!

    • Christine Bolton
      November 3, 2021 at 9:53 pm

      Thanks Helen! ☺️💕 Much appreciated

  8. Laura Bloomsbury
    November 3, 2021 at 6:24 am

    Christine this is one of the best examples of concrete poetry – so tangible and the hurts come through the cracks all along the way

    • Christine Bolton
      November 3, 2021 at 9:02 am

      Oh I am so pleased Laura. Thank you for the feedback I was hoping I didn’t mess up on the prompt 💕☺️

  9. ben Alexander
    November 3, 2021 at 5:25 am

    I hope you’re walking more sure-footedly along a more suitable road today, Christine.

    <3
    David

    • Christine Bolton
      November 3, 2021 at 9:04 am

      Thanks David. Yes they do have a way of evening out, don’t they? ☺️💕

  10. Ingrid
    November 3, 2021 at 2:10 am

    This is poignant, Christine. It can easily happen when we place too much trust in the undeserving.

    • Christine Bolton
      November 3, 2021 at 9:05 am

      Thank you Ingrid. I think we have all traveled this road at some point in our lives 💕☺️

      • Ingrid
        November 3, 2021 at 9:13 am

        For sure! ❤️

  11. Sadje
    November 3, 2021 at 12:01 am

    Heartbreaking poem Christine

    • Christine Bolton
      November 3, 2021 at 9:05 am

      Thanks Sadje. It’s just life ❤️

      • Sadje
        November 3, 2021 at 10:00 am

        You’re welcome

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