comments a/b this poem?

I like the vivid imagery.

You may be surprised to hear me say however, that (IMO) the explanation below the poem actually DETRACTS from it.

I will tell you what someone here on A2K told me a few years ago when I had included a similar explanation of one of my poems.

They said words to the effect that, without the explanation my poem was more intriguing, and they could enjoy sinking there teeth into it.

It is an interesting (and perhaps counter-intuitive) idea, that NOT knowing exactly what's in the poet's mind makes the encounter with his/her poem more satisfying.

yeah.. i agree totally.. am trying to edit.. looking around for that function.. Thanks.. I don't want to take away from it that's for sure.

much appreciation..

hmm I'm clicking on things but don't see an edit.. you mean it's permanent? that would be sad.

I realize what the replier was referring to with regards to poetry being open to personal interpretation.. this is still possible though I realize that knowing what and why the poem was written about can alter the final interpretation of the reader.. I would just like to say this.

I still think it's important for people to know why this poem was written. I say this because we as human beings can go down some roads that lead to nowhere good. We can do this and still all the while we justify within ourselves that we are still righteous before God because after all we have tried and have been dissapointed so we feel that is our justification. This poem reveals my newfound faith and spiritual experience from a dream. The experience was a 'Truth' in my heart of my current life situation complicated as it was God did do this to and for me to still have a chance to make things right for myself and my wife. The Truth that I know feel in my Heart has already begotten immense changes in my life starting from the day I woke from the dream. Here are some examples. I called every family member there are 3 brothers and 1 sister none of whom I was speaking to.. called them all and cried for forgiveness for my selfish ways and self-righteous ways and also for setting a very bad example to everyone who knows me. I went to my priest and cried in confession for 1 hour and told every single sin I committed from my last confession which was 5 years or more before this day. In doing these things I felt that I began to move further and further away from what I would call the 'brink of insanity'. Everyday I had to do something to prove to God that I am moving away from that life and towards a 'real' righteous life. I am back in church and now the words of the Bible and from the priest and in the Hymns well they speak to me now clearly whereas before I could only yawn and wish the mass were over.

So, this poem comes from this experience and I think it's very important for people to know this rather just think it was written for something else. I hope this helps. God is with us.. and I know some will think otherwise, that's ok too.

God Bless,

Gerard

Here is my follow up poem.... Hope you can understand it.

Every Inch That I Climb
By: Gerard Haughey

I Once Did Walk
In Darkness I Prayed
Our Connection Grew Faint
The Further I Strayed

And Still So Faint
My Prayers You Did Hear
An S.O.S. Situation Did Near
So Lost And Confused
My Heart Turning Cold
Indifference To 'Truth'
Taking Hold

Oh My Lord, Don't Let Go!
Please Help Me Somehow,
I Need To Know?
This Prayer I Did Pray,
So Long Ago

But You Had To Test My Love
For Yourself To See
Where My Very Own Heart
Would Take Me

All The While I Travelled
Over Dirt Roads And Gravel
My Choices Were Clear
For I Cannot Deny
The Sins I Chose Over
The Cross On High

Disappointment's In My Life
As Life Went On
My Beard Grew White,
Some Hair Now Gone

Still I Walk On
Alone Now Through All This Time
And Doubts That You Even Care
Ache Through My Soul's Spine

I Am Alone And Away
How Far Have I Strayed?
And Still The Sun And The Moon
Trade Places Each Day

Time Ticking On
Ten Years Now I Have Prayed

Oh My Lord, Don't Let Go!
Please Help Me Somehow,
I Need To Know?
This Prayer I Did Pray,
So Long Ago

Will God Ever Let Me
Come Home Some Day?
Or Have I Closed His Heart Away?

On My Bed I Lay,
Hollow And Lost
Oh What Have I Done?
What Is The Cost?

I Close My Eyes On My Bed
Heavy Heart, Heavy Head
Can't Sleep On My Own Any Longer
Unless The Pills Are Stronger

Living Now The Life Of A Lost Soul
I Fall Away, And A Dream Unfolds
It Is Scary For Sure
Of A "Truth" So Pure!
All That Confused Me, Does So No More!

Now I Can See And Feel My Exact Location
Clearly I Was Showed My Paths Destination
Now All Things Are Clear,
God's Mercy Is Here!
Now I Know What To Do,
For The Rest Of My Years
I Shall Live Them For God
While My Face Drips Of Tears
For Today God Has Answered My Prayers!

Now I Am A Different Man I Know,
Still I Cry In A Joyous Tone
God Did Not Let Me Go!

A Miracle Of Hope Came True!

With Fear Behind,
So Far Down The Line
I Cry For Forgiveness
Every Inch That I Climb.