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The Quest

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:43 am
by Shelley Hansen
There's been considerable debate (on and off this Forum) surrounding "pushing the boundaries" of bush verse - whether it be by introducing modern topics, or straying into more innovative forms of rhyme and metre, whilst still retaining the consistency that distingtuishes bush verse. There are many differing views on this subject, and that is to be expected.

In this context, I thought I'd share my poem The Quest which won first prize in the Adelaide Plains open written competition several years ago. I guess you can apply its principles to poetry or to life ... for me it applies to both. :D

THE QUEST
(c) Shelley Hansen

When the plans I had made did not prosper,
when the seeds I had sown did not shoot,
when my garden of hope did not blossom,
and no tree that I planted bore fruit …

Then the winds of regret blurred my vision,
disappointment lay parched in my throat;
and I watched, with a mouth full of ashes
as the ship of my dreams failed to float.

For a moment, I lost my direction,
for an instant, my steps turned away;
and I struggled to find motivation
to pursue the goal, day after day.

This is not the first time I have wondered
what compels me to reach for the sky
when so many folk sit back, contented …
Neither caring, nor daring, to fly.

It’s so easy to rest on your laurels,
spend your days in a soft easy chair –
never putting yourself under pressure,
never stepping outside of the square.

But relentless, the quest drives me onward
as new challenges rise from the old –
and I must create something to strive for,
to achieve, as the seasons unfold.

Though the storms of self-doubt may assail me,
though I waver and stall in the chase –
life’s a long-distance course to be conquered,
and the runner must stay in the race.

As the fledgling is certain to falter,
and the sailor to battle the sea –
so the person who never knows failure
never knows all the things he could be.

And success isn’t all in the winning,
but in having the courage to try.
And the lessons we learn by endeavour
shape the wisdom we need to get by.

So I must turn again to the sunlight,
draw my strength from the lines I have rhymed …
and, with stones over which I have stumbled,
build a staircase that begs to be climbed!

Re: The Quest

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 11:50 am
by vwalla
Shelley
No wonder this excellent poem won! Clear and concise that everybody can relate to.
Thank you for posting
Val W

Re: The Quest

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 4:40 pm
by Shelley Hansen
Thanks so much Val. I was especially pleased because it was up against a lot of free verse in that particular competition.

Gotta keep the flag flying, ;)

Cheers
shelley

Re: The Quest

Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2017 1:24 pm
by David Campbell
Congratulations on that win, Shelley, and it's easy to see why it caught the judge's eye. Both poetry and life, as you say.

Cheers
David

Re: The Quest

Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 8:41 pm
by Shelley Hansen
Thanks David - just a simple poem, but I guess sentiments most of us relate to. We all have those "plans that don't prosper" at times.

Cheers
Shelley