I was young, I was clay
I was given to looking out
and there upon the train seat
a gift from the universe
A barely filled notebook
no name, no number
no way to find the owner
it piqued my curiosity…
With pencil then, I tried to fill it
with all my words, my wonderings
my secret truths
but it went nowhere
just collected dust upon my shelf
A few months gone by
still young, my paint still wet
still at my most malleable
Lying on the pavement there
another present from the universe
a gleaming fountain pen
lid on, no engraving, no passer by
no way to return it
instinctively, I picked it up
put it to the waiting paper
The flick of that scalpel nib
the infinite potential, the promise…
For the first time in my life
I could speak without interruption
get my thoughts straight, talk it over
A friendship formed there
that has never faded
Since that strange coincidence
or you may call it providence
I’ve always had a keen eye on the world
for its quiet subtle gifts and moments
Look up, look down, look out
It’s all around, every day
I am humbled by the wonder
of nature
and the ever generous beauty
of existence…
[2021]
Thanks for reading.
The Lighthouse 
Well this was a delightful tale Tom. There is so much truth in this “I could speak without interruption / get my thoughts straight, talk it over”. And that ending, so uplifting.
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Thanks Bree. I have been trying to write more positive poems the last 12 months; on the whole. I think since I combined exercise and writing a lot of the poems are slathered in endorphins. 🙂
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This is a true story.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Ah thank you! I do hope your readers enjoy.
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I have no doubts that they will enjoy and appreciate it. I especially loved your lines – “I’ve always had a keen eye on the world
for its quiet subtle gifts and moments
😉🎁✨👍
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Thanks so much! I wasn’t sure if it would connect with people because it’s all so personal to me – it’s great to hear it works for you too. Thanks again. Tom.
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Yes, very much so! Personal for you often turns out to be personal to a lot of people too!!
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Beautifully written…the last paragraph totally captures the beauty and mystery of life’s little gems, I try to recognize them each day! ❤️
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Ah thank you! I’m glad to hear that. This is indeed a true story, I found a notebook and later a fountain pen when I was younger, just lying in the street. They came at just the right time and are the only time I’ve found such a thing in my life. I never thought about it much at the time, but looking back it was quite a rare coincidence that shaped my writing (and my life). I think it’s so important to be observant and to appreciate all those little things life brings. Thanks for reading! 🙂
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I want to know what colour the ink was. I always think the ink colour has a bearing on what is written! Permanent blue black for me!
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I like your thinking Peter 🙂 I use Mont Blanc “Mystery Black”… which is a rather exciting name for ink in my opinion.
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An appropriate ink for your words I think Tom. Hope you have a happy, healthy Christmas with good food and good company in the measures you desire.
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Thank you Peter! Thanks for all the wonderful poems, thoughts, music and most of all your encouraging comments this year. I really do appreciate it. Have a great Christmas doing what you love.
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