Once, A Rover.... (reminiscing)

FREE STYLE … a good poet friend and I were sharing a bit of our backgrounds the other day, and sitting this morning contemplating it all, this came to me … hope you enjoy.

    Once, A Rover....

Ahhh....

Many a road once beckoned me

gent, rogue, and bard alike.

Although, so many hats

adorned my head …

always and ever,

I was free.

True….

I shan’t deny

I’ve been a rover,

danced and sang along,

with all the beauty allowed

a man, for singing  his own song.

And, yet….

each 'n every tune upon my lips,

tree and flower 'long the way,

high, proud mountaintops

kissing clouds on high;

lofty sentinels guide

never far astray.

So very much,

I'd learned 

to see.

Then….

each taken step,

my heart filled anew;

how could I have known

a spark was growing bright,

to find a way back to my roots?

Who said, "It’s not the destination,

but the journey!" did not know of all 

the beautiful wonders I was traveling to.

Now….

fine sons sired, sweet daughter, too,

those years upon my road all past.

And, if by chance we shall meet,

smile and welcome my hand,

knowing  you've found

a good friend true.

Aye….

I took so many paths

few ever have or might;

Some good, others - well!

From many a far mile a'roam,

my roving friend, we both know,

"Tho', wanderlust might call to you,

that rovers' hearts never leave home!"

              

                            

Richard W. Jenkins

©2019

Author's Note

FREE STYLE: Basically, Free Verse with intermittent rhymes.
Picture courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Please, feel free to offer honest and critical, but well-meant, critique. : )

Reviews

[kitty]

Different. No critique here. Excellent, enjoyable. A piece worth reading over and contemplating its contents, working along similar lines with one's own life story. Good to know that the object of this piece has been able to live a full life without pain or regrets. Tis good to have travelled life's bumpy road and reached its apex in contented defiance of all the knocks encountered. Hats off to Him/her, my 'friend'! Actions justified/glorified!

[Richard🖌]

Thank you, Kitty Dear 🍂
For traveling along for awhile down my path of life's adventures.
It is refreshingly exciting to know you relate, and that you understand the ways of a rover, too.

Regrets? I have many.
Rewards and pleasures? Many, many more! ; )

Big hug to You, Fellow Lady-Traveler! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Richard🖌]

Had trouble the first couple of times getting the "read more" to work.

[kitty]

The road at times may seem arduous bit the thrills anong the way more than compensates, dear Sir!

[kitty]

I see what you mean about the read more senario. It repeated about four times. Never mind it was a pleasure!

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahaha great theme for all those whose hearts are joined by road and rail .. you know free verse is what i feel akin to but aside from that its a great choice for this story says i! it isn't language i personally speak with .. but it does lift the flavor of your poem ... its a grounded closing sir! .. but the other side of that coin will sigh ... no matter how long an anchor holds ... still that call is sighing on the wind and waves ;)
E.

[Richard🖌]

True, Gene,
My thinks, "once a rover, always a rover", if only in the heart and spirit.
Thank you for reading this sentimental little piece to wanderers everywhere, wherever they may roam.

Many blessings! ⁓ Richard 🍃