Saturday, January 18, 2014

The Byway--By Kathryn McLoughlin Collins--United States

The Byway

I may have been a place or two
Where your foot’s fallen or wishes to.
I have known a decibel of fright,
shrieked aloud in the cold dark night

In braveness, have you reached in aid?
In kindness have you sought to save
Sweet precious feelings of a friend
And sacrificed your own true end?

Stoop not at indignity nor
Puff and gel in praise.
Both fade fickle in the light;
Melt away in haze.

We’ll not be judged on cleverness.
Instead we will succeed
On our state of readiness
To lend a hand in need.

Born in 1945, Kathryn Collins is a native New Yorker now living in Connecticut whose works have been described as “a gentle sort of poetry” by the editor of her first book No Need for Breadcrumbs, published by BeWrite Books, 2004. Her work has also appeared in numerous anthologies. Inspired by her beloved grandmother, she developed a great love of poetry at an early age and has been writing for 20 years.

20 comments:

  1. Your poem makes a person think, how clever to reference life as a "byway" but, of course - how logical! How we live our lives is the detrimental provision to the next step............ beautiful poem. Sheri

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    1. Thank you Sheri. I've got some catching up to do at Whispers.

      love,

      Kathy

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  2. Beautifully put. I have enjoyed the rhythm and its concise nature.Much appreciated, thank you. Warm regards Ralph.

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  3. I much enjoyed the poem. You know what a true friend is and I certainly agree with it all and for me, seeking to save another's feelings by sacrificing one's own is surely the measure of a true friend. Thank you for a well written poem.
    Love, Charlene

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    1. Thanks Charlene. It's not hard to fall short to this one.

      love,
      Kathy

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  4. Good flow and rhythm in this wonderful write on friends. Enjoyed reading and friends are our backbones at times.... Janet

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    1. Thank you Janet.

      Oh to have a friend like this; better still to be one. High aspirations.

      love,

      Kathy

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  5. In reading your poem, I was reminded of an Albert Einstein quote: "Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." Your words ring true, and inspire me to be a better person. Kristina

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    1. What a beautiful comment you have written Kristina. The road of progress not perfection.

      love,
      Kathy

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  6. Very succinctly put together with great imagery and flow. Lots to consider when we try to judge how we live our lives. Robert

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    1. Thank you Robert. It's good I don't judge too harshly.

      love,
      Kathy

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  7. Nice poem, Kathryn. A joy to read. Great job and continued blessings!

    -Maurice J. Reynolds, Owner / Editor
    TGBTG! Publications / Creative Inspirations
    www.tgbtgpublictions.com

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  8. Dear Kathy,

    Thank you for all the encouraging comments you left for other writers as well as sharing this wonderful poem. I'm glad you are getting such a great response to your words. It is people like you that make Whispers possible.

    Blessings,
    Karen

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  9. Thank you, Jack Horne, for the following comment--

    very much enjoyed this thoughtful write

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    1. Thank you Jack. You always encourage me so.

      love,
      Kathy

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  10. Dear Kathryn,
    Surely many of us have known a "decibel of fright," especially during a cold, dark night. I would like to think I have reached out for others in kindness, but I know there have been times I turned away in fear. You last verse gave me goosebumps, dear. I love the way you describe the praise and indignity fading in the light. I have always believed we will be judged by how much we loved. Absolutely beautiful! I hope you are getting your work published. It's always excellent and another member sitting next to me now agrees. Love, Carolyn

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    1. Thank you Carolyn for your identification with my poem. To understand is all a part of loving. Really I am so touched by your comment and when feeling poetically (or otherwise) unappreciated, will remember your kind words.

      love,
      Kathy

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  11. Thank you, Richard Sponaugle, for the following comment--

    Very unique and clever, gets you to thinking.

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