Where I stand

In the end we create who we are or allow others to do it for is.

I stand here ever after,

on this ground I chose.

The tears and the laughter,

I have built from those

 who came into my life,

Either kept or cast away.

Some brought joy, some brought strife.

But I decided, come what may.

This foundation is 

my own creation.

This, my revelation

is where I stand.

I have built the 

house I live in

from those I chose 

and who were given.

I have built right here 

on this hallowed ground.

from what I've gathered

and from what I've found.

I don't hold to tomorrow

but I have shapes from the past.

the smiles, the wiles, and the sorrow

all of them form the role I cast.

I can choose

what to keep.

I can lose

or I can reap.

This foundation is

my own creation.

This my revelation

is where I stand.

Author's Note

picture from www.123rf.com

Reviews

[mandy]

very well written, mark. you sound like a man in charge, making your own decisions, ....come what may,,,,you own it.. and are in control.

[Cerise]

Amazing..loved the over all flow...a poem comprising of lots of emotions in one..well done..

[nigrum homonculus]

a very strong piece built from experiences of life. kind of reminds me of a saying

"through failure you gain experience and through experience you gain success"

i loved this poem. its what i needed to read today. thanks for this mark.

[Mark]

I love that saying Phil, have heard it in different ways but not so compactly expressed! :)

[Marie]

You do stand very firmly. Experience builds on experience, and the more expierence, the firmer the foundation.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Hey Mark we seem to be in parrallel univesres as we have similar experiences. Loved the stanza 'I don't hold to tomorrow
but I have shapes from the past.
the smiles, the wiles, and the sorrow
all of them form the role I cast.'
Nice reflective poem and good that the protagonist feels settled in their acceptance.

[Pratik]

This is a poem that talks freely of life. Life is a journey. It's a mixed bag of experiences and emotions and your poetry takes us along with this flow. The rhyming was perfect. It doesn't restrict the flow, but accentuates it. Very well written :)

[Mockingbird]

it takes a lot of experience to build such a strong foundation. very inspirational poem.

[Coyote Poetry]

I understand this poem. Foundation are built in years and with victories and mistakes. I like your description and direct statements on the reasons for the foundations in our life. I like the strong ending to the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Bewitching Sensations]

great poem :)