My old friend George is about to embark on a journey most of us would envy… the kind where, when we’re old and sitting in a nursing home with a bib catching our drool, we rasp, “I should’ve done that, taken that trip, dropped it all and gone off to discover why I’m here and what life could have been.”
He stopped off for a last visit with Lex and me before liftoff. I scribbled these lines in hopes that he has a safe voyage and finds what he’s looking for… or it finds him! Godspeed, my courageous brother.
AND SO, HE GOES
Can there be
a better place
than what’s around the bend?
Goodbye once again,
and cramming into
his car, fairly brimming with
all the necessities.
A few luxuries:
DVDs to play once there
Sojourning toward Someday,
Will it end,
this road, this exquisite journey?
Or will he
touch down lightly
where peace and love collide?
Where he feels
alive at last.
At present, tense – but future…
Don’t give up
on these dreams
of belonging in the world.
© 2010 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Debbie
Love that stanza that says the present, tense – but future. 🙂 Thank you for catching these moments for us. Priceless.
Sharp Little Pencil
He just left our house. May be going to Poland (where he is seeking dual citizenship), may settle in Oregon. But mostly, he’s making that courageous move to travel while he’s still in good shape, to find his place in the world. An immensely interesting guy, George, and our friend for life!
Thanks for comment on “present, tense.” I wrote this last night, right after we sat up and talked about everything. It came to me in a flash! Amy
Reflections
Thoughts of safe journeys sent… and peace to you as he wanders.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, hon. Yes, I pray he has a safe time on the road ahead. And Lex and I both actively pray for him as well, so thanks. Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Oregon! Be still, my heart! So beautiful. I made that leap once, to live in the place where my heart was at home. Tell him it brings enormous JOY when you find it! I especially love the “dont give up on these dreams” stanza. Wonderful, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
I had the honor of reading it to him this morning before he left. He got it, completely. Then after he left, I had a HUGE pity party cry, which my husband totally understood. Sometimes straight women and straight men CAN be the best of friends with no weirdness or jealousy involved…
You know, Sherry, that kind of leap takes great courage. I’ve made quite a few… well, almost “quantum leaps,” to borrow from old TV series… and my advice to everyone I meet is “Don’t give up on your dreams.” They are all that matter, because our dreams, and how we act on them, are what make us special, unique.
Thanks, S. Amy
uponthewingsofnight
The last stanza of this poem really hit home with me. There have been many times where I have thought that I have no place in this world. Then I realize that my place is among those who are creative, such as yourself. Thank you for accepting me as I am.
Sharp Little Pencil
And the same for you, Brett. Your acceptance from the very start made me feel at ease in the local poetic community.