Footprints

Looking back to where I've been

I’ve sailed the world’s oceans and gazed upon faraway, liquid horizons. Soothed by gentle breezes or bruised by angry waves, I learned to love it there, upon the sea. 

Once beneath a blazing, desert sun, I saw ancient spirits dance on gaseous waves. Offering eternity, they spoke to my soul. When nightfall came, ten million twinkling stars swirled above in an ink-black sea of wonder.

Breathing air of arctic chill, I walked on pillow-soft tundra to Finger Bay, where salmon made their run. Way up in that northern clime, I found a certain beauty. Rugged, clean and cold, I might have called it home.

High above the sea and land, I’ve flown on silver wings. It’s easy to dream inside a cloud, and I longed to linger there. How easy it is, you see, to soar without a care, forgetting for a while, afflictions and despair.

Deep inside a forest, among the noble trees, I’ve sat upon a rock and pondered life’s mysteries. Of every place I’ve been, and every voice I’ve heard, and every sight I’ve seen, no other can compare to this one, most serene. Leave me long to tarry here until my final day, and then I’ll lie down ‘neath this oak and sleep my cares away.

Author's Note

Re-tracing some of my footprints.

Reviews

[Marie]

What absolutely amazing memories you have so finely detailed in this amazingly penned poem, Sam. Travel broadens our horizons and we learn so much. The visual detail is simply breathtaking in its beauty. Isn't it simply divine to find a beautiful tree to sit under and ponder the many mysteries of life and simultaneously being able to leave behind the problems of the human world for a while. A poem which gifts a beautiful aura of peace to the reader and I especially love the closing lines: "Leave me long to tarry here until my final day, and then I’ll lie down ‘neath this oak and sleep my cares away". SO beautiful! Thank you for sharing this captivating write, for sharing your treasure box of memories and for taking your reader to beautiful places through your words, Sam. Beautiful literary gem! Thank you again for sharing...

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. My travels are done, but the memories remain. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[Marie]

I both enjoyed it and loved it, Sam. My days of travel have come to an end also, thanks to Covid. Everything changed once it arrived, sadly. Thank you again for sharing, Sam...

[Lorry]

Yes indeedy Samuel.
I was wandering through your writes again because the notion to read the Charlie and buster tales gripped me. I reckon I've read them all before, either with this account or an older one (alifeacoustic) but wanted to reminisce those childhood days once more. So I've added them to my library and also found a few I haven't read yet, like this one. And yes, I totally get how you could sleep your cares away under that oak, surrounded not only be the beauty of nature but by memories the jog into being too.
Not only the sites, but smells and tastes evoke memories in an instant and if you don't believe me, just start up a campfure and put the coffee on!
There is nothing better than retracing our footprints, when time and surroundings allow.
It even makes me nostalgic for the woods and I'm slap bang in one right now!
😃

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I believe we experience life much the same. Campfire and coffee--shall we roast something on the end of a stick? In case it gets cold, I've got this wee flask...

[Lorry]

Just add some to the coffee there chief! 😃

[SweetNutmeg]

Normally your stories make me smile, but this one left a tear in my eye. You've seen so much of the world. It is true that our memories are our treasures as the reviewer below noted, and you are so kind as to share your treasure trove. Thank you for sharing these things with us. Not just this piece, but all the many other stories you've posted here as well.

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I feel very honored by your words.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for the journey to all those places you have loved. You brought this reader some spectacular imagery and peace of mind. And your final resting place 'neath that old oak, I can perfectly understand. A fine composition and much enjoyed Sam. All good wishes to you.

Chris

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you, Christine. If you see an old bearded man sitting beneath an oak, it may be me.

[Chris Shaw]

Then I'll make a point of stopping to chat. Hello Sam. Have a good week-end.

[kentuck14]

Sam,
Thanks for the journey you've taken us on. Sounds like some nice places.
Tom

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks. You've seen a few, too, I'll bet.

[Neville]

perfectly traced if you ask me... I sometimes wish I had opted for the slower nautical route rather than joining the RAF as I did way back in the day... I would have certainly seen more of the world for free.. but hey.. you refer to so many other magical places, clearly held fast within memories dear and only hinted at here on this page.......... thank you for the ride samuel, very much enjoyed... N

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. I wanted to join the Air Force, but during that Vietnam era, there was a waiting line to get in. Nearly by dumb chance, I ended up in Naval aviation, which gave me both aircraft and ships. One tour of duty with the submarine hunters (P3 Orions) included a good bit of flying, plus travel to destinations where ship duty would never have taken me. So my feet have touched earth on many parts of the globe from east to west. All just a few photos now and memories. How about you? Did you travel a lot?

[Neville]

while serving with the RAF, I was briefly stationed in Germany and had a posting to Gan a God forsaken island in the Indian Ocean... I have traveled far and wide since then tho and measure time in the space between one vacation and the next...... N

[Stella Armour]

As i read through the beautiful places and things you have experienced i was not surprised at all at which would be the place you would choose to end your journey :)

[Gabriele]

This is lovely, I love the sea. I'm lucky that I don't live far from the Atlantic, I go there when my heart is heavy but in a pich the woods will do

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you. Nature provides many places where we may find comfort.

[john l smith]

A far flung fellow with fond memories
This was well expressed and I was right along with you, although I am not big on heights, what with the silver wing stuff and all!

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks. My traveling days are done, but I can still go places in my memories.

[barleygirl]

I really love this! It's so inspiring, I want to commemorate my own footprints similarly someday. I love the way you've chosen very different scenes that can be compared in similar terms. I love the very original way you describe each experience, yet so true-to-life that each of us can imagine being there too. The things you choose to commemorate here are similar to the things I would honor about my own experiences (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Samuel Dickens]

Thanks, Margie. Yes, I imagine you've left quite a trail.

[barleygirl]

I just fell in love with this again! Wow! I envy you for thinking of this writing idea & for executing it so wistfully & lyrically! This reads like a poem! *smile*

[Samuel Dickens]

Thank you dear Margie, my fellow traveler.