Lost Souls

Avatar:Lost Souls By dholl

We search for meaning under every leaf

and every leaf's for the turning,

but there we find such short relief

as for peace our heart's still yearning.

 

And when we tap the compass' face

for to have it guide us home

we can but go at our own pace

for we know not where we roam.

 

So within the folds of this forest scene

we're still seeking out true meaning,

and strain to see all things unseen

but still, we're only dreaming.

 

We are the souls lost far from shore

all praying for salvation

and treading water evermore

in ceaseless contemplation.

 

20/07/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dear John... I have always believed in the force
of good and evil. The force of evil is quite clever...
and we must be on Guard... as we watch the lost souls who cannot help themselves. I do believe in
Guardian Angels in Heaven and here on Earth. truly, Pat

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed many believe in the opposed forces and the gods who protect us. I am more of a Darwin/Hawking believer though. Many thank yous Pat.

[kentuck14]

Ah, John you've done a great job with standard form. Interesting thoughts you share.
T

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I like to try most things once lol. many thanks Tom.

[Chris Shaw]

Strong poem with great flow and rhyme. Stuff I was brought up on. Those lost souls could be any one of us without a faith. I keep searching, but find nothing that will convince me. Both heaven and hell are here on earth. That's where I'm placing my bets. Super write John.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Chris. I don't think the absence of religion is the cause. For some reason we humand seen to crave purpose. Religion is the lazy way of filling the gap. If humans could simply be happy in developing humanity as a strong and moral entity without greed we would not need the false hope provided by religious faith or alcohol or deviant pursuits.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, I like that. Developing humanity, but it needs a base to do that. You have to know what is right and wrong in the first place. Maybe humanity should be taught in schools at an early age.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I think we a;ll know what s right and what is wrong. Of course it changes over time elsewise women would not have left the kitchen lol!

[Chris Shaw]

Ha ha. That old chestnut

[Eilis]

Such a smooth form, John. The reading reminded me of the tight meter/structure of a villanelle. I love the way you explore the search for meaning with those things we encounter everyday--things that can become almost meaningless to our minds because they become like background. The leaves, the forests, and so on. In this day and age, nature can seem like an afterthought because it factors in to our daily lives very seldom unless we actively seek to incorporate it.

That makes me think about the meaning the 'lost souls' are seeking and how we sometimes look over the things that can impart meaning in our lives. Lasting meaning. I enjoyed the spirit of this poem. Beautifully written work.

[lightsong]

in the world of Souls, the lost ones have a meaning that's different in life, and through Your words I see bot, those whom are lost in life and struggle to find their way, their faith and belief, and those Souls who done evil in earth, they are roaming, struggling and cleaning until are able to back home. a very strong piece my friend.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you light, you have the essesnce of the piece.

[CitizenStudent1994!]

Is this a reference to James Cameron's avatar? Or Avatar the Last Airbender?
Still, the poem holds true for everyone. We are, all of us, in a way: Lost Souls.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I have seen Avatar but no it was not a conscious feed for this piece. I agree most people have a certain sense of being lost. Thanks for the comment

[Cherrie]

I like how you captured mans inner struggle,
… the need for faith, a hope laced oasis that soothes the soul even in a ocean of doubt.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed many depend upon faith for meaning, why? Many thanks Cherrie.

[Cherrie]

I take a layman's stab at that. I would say simple design. God created humans to have fellowship with. Those without it have a void that money, sex, status cannot replace.
It is that basic need of purpose and or belonging. A trust that the soul lives on even after the flesh is dust.
I probably should have but more thought in this, but here is my in a nutshell offer.
:)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

My take is our in-built innate fears added to the competition between 'men' to control and dominate. One can do by force or by coersive methods. Religion, which has no evidence nor scientific provenance has been disproved by Darwin and Hawking.

[Cherrie]

… you could look at it that way, but both of them are dead, and don't ya wonder what their perspective is now from the other side.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

No I have no fear of death or blackness and live in today and value every breath I take. Like them I believe in science and mortality.

[Cherrie]

The greatest gift we share is the choice to choose, my good friend, and I enjoyed your poem of searching.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

God yes, John....where the hell is true meaning...and exactly what is it?
the lines of life are so blurred anymore...it is crazy...and we are all going crazy trying to find the answers...
poets search and write...but we don't always find them....we still write anyway.
another thoughtful write by you, my friend,
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Blurred lines indeed Jacob. Many, many thank yous.