Map of My Life

ashan1614 on Jan 5, 2011

Tags: dead-end, Deserts, fields, forests, gardens, Life, map, mountains, streams, topo maps, valleys

As I quickly approach middle-age (or maybe I’m already there, but in deep denial), I’ve begun wishing I could show some young person the easiest way to get through life. If only I could provide them a map with the right route clearly marked.

I tried to draw a map of my life

Carefully marking the way

Huge red X’s on the dead-end roads

So those who follow me

Will not waste their time as I have

I wanted to create the map

In full relief

Showing the mountains and valleys

Plains and meadows

And the rolling hills of time

Perhaps helping someone to avoid

The deep, dark pits and helping them to see

The smoothest path, the easiest way over

The many mountains that lay between

Here and there

The map was to be in color

Greens signifying the lush dense forests

That might offer a bit of shade

And blue for the streams of cool water to quench

The mightiest thirst

The barren deserts and vast wastelands

Painted brown and lacking vibrancy

Who would want to travel there?

Very detailed was this map to be

I wanted to highlight the gardens

I had found and enjoyed

In the quiet of the dawning day

Blooms and bouquets of every hue

Fields of wheat and corn

To nourish and strengthen

I wanted to show it all

Yes, I tried more than once

To make the map of my life

But the Master stayed my hand

Seems we must each find our own way

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Comments (18)

Jimmy Shilaho on Jan 5, 2011
I love the map already though you didn’t draw it. A very thoughtful piece for life can be so tough at times.
Roe2115 on Jan 5, 2011
Sometimes the peaks and valleys of life come with borders and we have to find our way around them. Reflective piece.
Guy Hogan on Jan 5, 2011
Yes, each of us has to find his or her own way. I really like the way you put this poem together, but in the end each of us has to take responsibility for ourselves and our own lives. Sometimes if we are smart we will listen to those who have gone ahead; but even if we avoid their mistakes we will still make plenty of others. Nice writing. Good insight.
JoeLopy on Jan 5, 2011
I love the idea of drawing the map…….A very thoughtful piece. I am middle age and still looking for my routes every day………
Val Mills on Jan 5, 2011
Yes, one map doesn’t suit all, which is why we’re all different. Your dead ends may not be my dead ends. This is a wonderful poem. Thank you for writing it.
buenavida on Jan 5, 2011
Great illustration! Sometimes we learn from other people´s mistakes but very often we have to make our own.
Adrn0919 on Jan 5, 2011
Absolutely great poem. If only, especially with our children, we could help them avoid the mistakes we have made. But as you said they have to find their own way. (You aren’t alone in your denial.)
Michael Eboh on Jan 5, 2011
well and okay, i must agree with what you have just highlighted here. I think I have to go by what Adrn0919 said here. Thanks.
1hopefulman on Jan 5, 2011
I think we are allowed to point the way to avoid the pitfalls. They may not listen but that’s their choice.
PSingh1990 on Jan 6, 2011
Nice Share.
gopsminakas on Jan 7, 2011
hi, great thought provoking words…of course all of us explore our identity, our own way…
but all of those who started by not following any body, will end up one day….
at the same cross road which signs” different”
thats where we will realise…all dues we fogot…now time to pay…
T. S. Lewis on Jan 7, 2011
Wonderfully done
Yovita Siswati on Jan 8, 2011
Each of us have our own map. Wonderfully written. Thanks.
Gail Cavanaugh on Jan 10, 2011
I like the imagery and colors you used in this one. Great thoughtful writing!
Freethinking on Jan 11, 2011
Although many are influenced by those whom they choose to associate with, I still think we all need to find our individual paths in life. For instance, as a parent, when the child leaves home we are reminded that we gave them roots and we gave them wings, the rest is up to them. Super great poem.
ashan1614 on Jan 27, 2011
Thank you all for your wonderful and encouraging comments. They are appreciated.
T. S. GARP on Feb 6, 2011
This is wonderfully illustrated and every poignant. It would be great if we had a map, but sometimes we do need some of the bumps on the way to make us a better and wiser explorer of life.
CanIgetMyPrivacyBackPlease on Feb 10, 2011
Excellent idea, life is like a big map without names on it. Thanks for sharing with us ashan1614.

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