by William Dotani
Member since:
October 27, 2006

Destination of Journeys: Saturday Writing Essentials: Theme: Road Trip

October 12, 2011 02:32 PM UTC (Updated: October 12, 2011 02:33 PM UTC)
views: 0 | 13 people recommend this | comments: 56

To go from and coming home
A way of finding journeys
Bucolic country lanes yawn
City avenues hurry
Where and when starts up a plan
Heading down the road again

Life’s road trip seeks destinations
Sketches of notebook contagion
Wishes, happenstance, all get mixed
Over hill and dale, morning mist
Moments together picturesque
Summer Sun, windows open, yes

Cafes and watching each horizon
Bathe confident in promises if
Miles speeding towards an intention
Radio plays what locals like best
Friendly and apathetic faces
With Jack Kerouac on a road trip

Friends and neighbors celebrate
Long lost friends of yesterday
Let the tales of road house tend
A place to see friends again
Times that were reset, but since
Tomorrow calls, new content

Onside is, whatever will do
Packages break open too soon
The mirror supplies gentle hints
Youth is but a vanishing trend
Speaking refills meaning retools
Wipe sleep from your eyes, then review

Rising like flowers of early Spring
Touched like rainbow of surprises ring
Windows and shadows, a falling leaf
Tuning the fork of an optimist
Surveying the hopes and truest grit
Life sparkles and dances with each step

 

Comments: 56

JOHN BECK Oct 12, 2011, 3:18pm UTC
Venturing and returning, literally and metaphorically. I like it.
William Dotani Oct 12, 2011, 11:28pm UTC
Spot on and I did not use Latin. Thank you.
CL Mareydt Oct 12, 2011, 4:09pm UTC
Nice ...

THANK YOU FOR SHARING AT SURREAL CIRCUS!
William Dotani Oct 12, 2011, 11:29pm UTC
Nice of you. Thank you.
Peter Joseph Swanson Oct 12, 2011, 4:36pm UTC
A great walk ...
William Dotani Oct 12, 2011, 11:30pm UTC
A pleasant journey

an in my not yet posted Genre Shortie story, you, Kay & Tracy are starring.
Thank you.
elizabeth evans Oct 12, 2011, 6:11pm UTC
Just got back from a week long road trip with Magi's brother Hans (from England) and his sister Alida and her husband Peter (from Perth). To say the least, it was interesting.
William Dotani Oct 12, 2011, 11:32pm UTC
That's nice.
Donna C. Oct 12, 2011, 9:16pm UTC
Sounds like a nice trip and maybe a reunion??
When you go to a class reunion you always wonder how your
classmates aged and you didn't!!
William Dotani Oct 12, 2011, 11:39pm UTC
I've never been because of one person whom thinks it his duty to inform everyone of everyone's troubles. I hate gossip.
Btw: We are both 39 I believe.
Thank you.
William Dotani Oct 12, 2011, 11:40pm UTC
a (here we go again with comments getting eaten).
William Dotani Oct 13, 2011, 2:35am UTC
I love your comment because it fits quite nicely in my Donna C story to be posted within a fortnight and more within probably.
Donna C. Oct 13, 2011, 9:46pm UTC
Yes, I'll go along with 39 if you will. LOL
I have been to just 2 of my class reunions, I decided that since I am not in contact with any of them in the time between, there isn't really much interest on my part or theirs to meet each other every 10 years just to see what the other looks like or dresses like or what kind of car they drive. Not of interest to me at all.
Now family reunions, I love............I don't get to see nearly enough of my brothers and sisters and their families.
I am waiting patiently for the story on Donna C..............
William Dotani Oct 14, 2011, 1:26am UTC
I don't know a soul from my high school graduating class. I did meet an old classmate at the store and he could not believe how much I have changed. I have 3 very good friends I've known about 35 years. I see my family and have little desire for social interaction. I like staying home. I am a bit agoraphobic.
Donna C. Oct 14, 2011, 10:06pm UTC
I am now at the age where so many of my lifelong friends have passed away. It is very hard to realize that the people who knew you the best are no longer here to share the ups and downs of life...But, I am very lucky I have good health and new friends and lots and lots of family to love. (and be aggravated at) LOL
I can't imagine that you could be agoraphobic when you were a professor and had to speak to a class full of students..........
William Dotani Oct 15, 2011, 12:58am UTC
Living in Japan much much much more peaceful than here. My agoraphobic feelings started after a speeding man on drugs slammed into my car. The man was going so fast I had no warning. He hit me on the front side panel ahead of the driver side door. If he had hit me just 3' down, I would be dead. I would have no problems going on stage in a controlled environment, but going out into public for most anything makes me get tense and sometimes fearful.
As for your story: I've written 27 lines, used a quote you wrote, and will post it for Tuesday Writing Essentials when finished.
Donna C. Oct 15, 2011, 9:28pm UTC
How long ago did this accident happen?
That is too bad that one person can make so much difference
in a persons life. But thankfully you survived!! I have aways thought
that Japan was a peaceful place, but I do believe it is becoming more and
more "western" as the world shrinks...........
William Dotani Oct 16, 2011, 1:12am UTC
Japan adapts western culture in its own way. The accident happened last Spring.
Donna C. Oct 16, 2011, 9:34pm UTC
Well, you are still working on yourself, so I know things are improving.
William Dotani Oct 17, 2011, 3:57am UTC
Rather sad this morning with my father-in-law passing away.
Donna C. Oct 17, 2011, 9:50pm UTC
I am so sorry about you father-in-law. My condolences to you and your wife.......
Ann K. Oct 12, 2011, 10:52pm UTC
A fun and enjoyable road trip. Life is a highway.
William Dotani Oct 12, 2011, 11:40pm UTC
Should be and yes it is.
Thank you.
Elsie Duggan Oct 13, 2011, 1:37am UTC
Beautiful trip described as only you can do, a pleasant journey, one to be happy on, to look forward to and never look back,. Wonderful writing my friend, I love you, goodnight, Elsie
William Dotani Oct 13, 2011, 1:44am UTC
This poem contains many of my deepest feelings. Sweet dreams.
Thank you.
Patricia J. Oct 13, 2011, 9:14am UTC
The perfect road trip, see all the locals as they see you!
William Dotani Oct 13, 2011, 3:29pm UTC
When I lived in a resort area, I used to see the tourists and wondered if they knew I lived there.
Thank you.
David W. Oct 13, 2011, 11:40am UTC
Something akin to, "It's not the destination it's the journey." I wish I had Jack riding along with me, On the road.
A fine piece of work my friend.
William Dotani Oct 13, 2011, 3:30pm UTC
I like to stop and smell the flowers along the way.
Thank you.
David W. Oct 13, 2011, 3:33pm UTC
Next step, Become the Flower.
William Dotani Oct 14, 2011, 1:27am UTC
Reminded me of Pink Floyd's 'Hey You.' I guess I will be fertilizer someday.
jeanne clarke Oct 15, 2011, 9:04am UTC
at least we'll then know where all the flowers have gone.....
William Dotani Oct 16, 2011, 1:14am UTC
When will they ever learn...
Marge H. Oct 13, 2011, 12:02pm UTC
I'm enjoying the comments as much as the poem. Just beautiful, William.
William Dotani Oct 13, 2011, 3:31pm UTC
Yes, the comments are lovely.
Thank you.
Marge H. Oct 14, 2011, 10:09am UTC
So is your poem. I hope you are well today.
William Dotani Oct 15, 2011, 1:06am UTC
I'm better. I've been agonizing over a decision since last May and finally made it and took action today. I believe my neighbor is going to get justice on Monday. I asked for solution, but she ignored me and last Sunday she pushed not only me, but my wife over the edge. This has caused me a lot of tension and grief. She will probably face fines. I'm sorry I had to do this, but enough is enough.
William Dotani Oct 15, 2011, 1:06am UTC
a
William Dotani Oct 13, 2011, 3:31pm UTC
a
Sandy Moore Oct 13, 2011, 3:33pm UTC
That is quite a walk.
William Dotani Oct 14, 2011, 1:28am UTC
It has taken many moons.
Thank you.
Granny Janny Oct 14, 2011, 10:54am UTC
I think of O'Neal's title when reading this - Long Day's Journey Into Night.
May all your journeys be fulfilling. Featured on the Muse.
William Dotani Oct 15, 2011, 1:08am UTC
Nice reference.
Thank you.
john k. Oct 14, 2011, 2:19pm UTC
You evoked several inspiring images. For me one of the best poems I've read on gather. Thorton Wilder said that life is the right amount of travel and exploration and the right amount of sitting at home.
William Dotani Oct 15, 2011, 1:10am UTC
It's very nice of you to say this.
Thank you.
Len Maxwell Oct 14, 2011, 7:31pm UTC
Very nicely done. I particularly enjoyed the line regarding the radio playing what the locals like best. That can tell you a lot about where you are in the country.

Thanks for taking the SatWE challenge.
William Dotani Oct 15, 2011, 1:11am UTC
Thank you because that's exactly what I want readers to think when reading this line.
Thank you.
Len Maxwell Oct 15, 2011, 8:14pm UTC
And, thank you for such a superb piece of work. I'm featuring it on Gather Writing Essential.
William Dotani Oct 16, 2011, 1:15am UTC
That's nice of you. Thank you.
jeanne clarke Oct 15, 2011, 9:07am UTC
a wonderful journey through time.....speaking of reunions, I've never been to one either, except sort of - when hubby and I went to an alumni Valentine's day mass this year at Loyola College - since it was an alumni thing, there were plenty of alumni there, but not one I recognized. I'm waiting for the 30 year class reunion coming up in 3 years. I'll be the only one not looking 30 years older....
William Dotani Oct 16, 2011, 1:17am UTC
Rose colored glasses a must when looking backwards.
It will be tough you being the only 39 year old at your reunion.
Thank you.
jeanne clarke Oct 16, 2011, 8:41am UTC
yes, rough, but I'll manage somehow...I'll manage...
William Dotani Oct 17, 2011, 3:58am UTC
With Oil of Olay, eh.
jeanne clarke Oct 17, 2011, 6:49am UTC
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends...Olay, eh.....and a few other magic tricks.....
Heidi S. Oct 15, 2011, 3:42pm UTC
Just beautiful. A road trip of life.
William Dotani Oct 16, 2011, 1:17am UTC
I thank you kindly for your comment.

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