In This Quest Of Mine

"No poem was ever written by a drinker of water" ~ Horace

I went through ceaseless motions

Sailing across bleary oceans
Finding no shore, no verity
There was no grail of clarity

I reached for the hoary stars
Without making it very far
Falling back onto the earth
Of a glass of fuel there was dearth

The heavens too, I looked to entice
With comely nymphs to break the ice
The frost would just refuse to melt
The punch of lust was never felt

And in my constant bid to win
I went on searching deep within
Ending up clueless and blind
No potion for an unlit mind

Perhaps, a goblet went amiss
The sea and sky just wouldn't kiss
In every joyless quest of mine
A poem lost for want of wine

Author's Note

Cheers :)

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved the quote and your words.
"Perhaps, a goblet went amiss
The sea and sky just wouldn't kiss
In every joyless quest of mine
A poem lost for want of wine"
I understand the above lines. My problem when I drink and write. I fall to the negative places. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry. I liked this one.
Coyote

[AJNJ]

Thanks a lot my very dear friend! I totally understand and appreciate. For each of us, there is something unique that works for us in writing. A drink must be enjoyed onky lightly. Have a wonderful weekend :)

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree my friend and you are welcome.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Love, love, love it. The rhythm and the rhyme and the story told. And I love the Horace quote. Think I have written my best with a drink or three! Hell wish it was Friday!

[AJNJ]

I love Fridays sir. A drink somehow tastes better that day of the week 😊 Thanks a ton for the great review!

[Jimmy Yetts]

Poets often see and feel things much too starkly.
Dulling the consciousness may bring a bit of comfort.
Extended "dulling" can, however, erode an artist's gift.
Perceptive poem, AJ.

[AJNJ]

Absolutely! Our needs change so often !Thanks a ton dear sir!

[barleygirl]

Many poems are lost in this swiss cheese mind of mine, but I can't blame a dirth of pot . . . maybe an abundance of it! Your poem seems to take a turn at the last moment into a quest to write a particular poem -- not so much a writers block lament, but seemingly a quest for some essence that just hasn't been showing up at the keyboard for this narrator. Besides this "writing" slant, I also love your message in terms of all the ways we spend our lives questing for something we specifically think we want, rather than just being open to whatever is readily available to enchant us (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[AJNJ]

Your message is awesomely on point here! Many a poem is aborted and sacrificed in the quest for the essence of what we think we want. The same goes for a couple of great writers here who left the cafe, unhappy in their quest for perfection. This is something I truly appreciate. To be open to whats available in the moment. Thanks a ton, Ms. Margie, for an invaluable review!

[Roland Petrov]

This poem also has a really memorable line: A poem lost for want of wine. Personally, this has never happened to me.

[AJNJ]

Thank you so much dear sir. Fortunately, to me neither but I just had to dwell on Horace's quote, perhaps in amazement and awe as well as some amusement...and these lines came forth.

[Unspoken poet]

Perhaps, a goblet went amiss
The sea and sky just wouldn't kiss
In every joyless quest of mine
A poem lost for want of wine

I really love this part, this is a very well written write, enjoyable read

[Dhara_Ditzy Kat]

The concept is great Pest. I understand you're not serious and developing the famous quote. So well done I say. As for me, I take only catnip on Fridays and sparingly. Meow.

[AJNJ]

I loved writing this poem dear Ms. Kat. Thanks for appearing on this page. Its always appreciated. Stay safe today.

[Eilis]

As a teetotaler, I have to disagree with Horace, haha. Of course, I know there is more to his idea, but it is interesting to think of this connection, and of course we have plenty of examples of great artists who thrive creatively when under the influence. To be honest, I don't know much about the man, so have just looked him up to offer some context. Just reading about his own style of poetry, I wondered if perhaps your poem was working toward and homage to him in style as well.

For me, the highlight of this poem came in the last stanza where it felt like the message of the poem was being summed up and, like a sonnet, kind of turning toward an ultimate conclusion. The idea of having a missing ingredient and not being able to get the pieces to fit together-- really liked that sea and sky idea-- where the two wouldn't connect. Specifically, the poem seems to build on the idea of the quote where the poet is in need of some outside source to bring about the perfect inspiration, but I feel like this could be anything that stifles us creatively. The ways writers or artists feel that there is something physical blocking the flow of the creative spirit and, perhaps, become mired in the quest to satisfy an unsatisfiable or false thirst.

Seems, as humans, we can always find a crutch or anomaly that makes us feel we aren't entirely responsible for a failure to realize our intended goal. The poem sits in mind waiting to be crafted, but sometimes we are too far from the source to access it. Maybe an unrelated tangent, but that was what occurred to me in the reading. The plight of the writer is not so easily defined.

[AJNJ]

Thanks Ms. Eilis. I personally feel, that headiness and intoxication could come from anything, perhaps wine, or love or something else I feel. I was so nodding in agreement reading your views. Writers are looking for something to boost their inspiration and go to such lengths to seek it. s you so rightly say, their plight is not easily defined and in that you sum it up so beautifully.

This was more an effort to elaborate and develop a famous quote rather than my own personal views though I do love an occasional drink, especially on a weekend :) So I am thankful you appreciated it and an extra big thanks for appreciating the last verse.

I wish a beautiful day today.

[AJNJ]

********you********

[Neville]

Ha.. I'm with the sentiments expressed by my friend and reviewing predecessor Dancing Coyote my friend.. that final stanza is nigh on perfect... Respect..

Neville

[AJNJ]

I'm humbled dear friend. Your words will spur me on. Thank you very much!

[.]

This is an interesting kind of lamentation, Monsieur P. It reads like a clashing of passions. The desire to create with the written word juxtaposed with the desires of the flesh and the liquor. As we all know, the three combined are a toxic combination for the spirit even if the occasional write of genius is born from their volatile mixture. What makes this piece stand apart is the sense of realisation that the poet seems to reach at the end of the poem. The understanding that his reckless behaviour on his journey of life has often proved fruitless to his poetic creation on the page. Perhaps this poem will stand as a morality tale of redemption for the rest of the journey ahead. I guess it will depend on which passion makes a greater impact on his soul. I appreciate the Horace quotation (even if I disagree with it as a water drinker!) and the slow unwrapping of the soul of the poet through these verses. Given the way your muse is firing on all cylinders at present, it's safe to assume that your primary passion will be words. A fascinating write, dear Pestonjee. Another much enjoyed read! :)))

[AJNJ]

Good Morning Madame,

I truly appreciate your line where you say that for each man it depends which passion impacts more his soul and therefore his creativity and his muse. To each man, his own poison but as sir Jacob points out so beautifully here, without love, ultimately the written word will fall flat on its face. I tend to kind of agree with him.

Wrote this poem partly as satire. Just trying to develop some famous quotes and having great fun while at it. I realise, the subject has the potential to create quite a bit of debate. :)

Thank you so much for your kind appreciation and encouragement always. 🌹