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Canyon Walls

yet again my balance wanes. my callused hands grip the sweat-soaked rock. i steady my shaking limbs. hold on. hold on. i whisper to the air as my body peels from the rock. my mind screams against God for relevance. the Madness beckons. then a subtle shift of a toe. and a twist of a foot. and my balance is regained. my mind settles. they would be proud, if they knew. but i was born to this untamed precipice. far from the confidence of well-traveled cliffs. in the privacy of my own heights i hang with burning muscles and wonder at the Abyss below: shall i regain my post to poise myself yet again to steady myself for the next slip and to grasp again? or surrender to the Fall and rest? there are ledges above i will never reach. but those on other cliffs will never track mine. so here i struggle, finger hold by finger hold, fighting back the Emptiness; only to hear my voice echo against the lonely canyon walls.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014




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Date: 5/11/2014 9:08:00 AM
OHH THAT DAM Emptiness that we fight and hold above our heads, and stubble with Mr. uncertainly.. why cant there be happiness 24/7... instead of slipping into unreality .... hugs der man Brooke
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Brooke Dylan
Date: 5/11/2014 9:21:00 AM
not stubble struggle ...lol
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Brooke Dylan
Date: 5/11/2014 9:08:00 AM
HUGS DEAR MAN much love Brooke
Date: 4/30/2014 10:18:00 AM
Hello Sam, WOWWOW! Your writing is so very good! Very descriptive I must say. I adored this write! Thank you so much for sharing this poem with us! Bravo:~) Peace, Deborah
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Sam Toil
Date: 4/30/2014 11:11:00 AM
Once again, Deborah, you overwhelm with praise! I am so looking forward to getting to know you and your poetry better;) Look for my comments! Peace...Sam
Date: 4/23/2014 8:42:00 AM
I like your choice of metophor. I can feel my fingers grasping onto the rock.
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Sam Toil
Date: 4/23/2014 9:07:00 AM
Thanks, Rick. I'm glad it came through. Peace..Sam
Date: 4/22/2014 2:52:00 PM
Aloha Sam, l feel nature helps us to be in contact with our inner most self, that spiritual self that dwells within, and it is at that time we feel one with the divine source when a thin line divides us from life or death. Your brilliant poem conveys this to me. You seem filled with the kind of courage it takes to fully experience life. I am happy to meet such a kindred spirit.
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Sam Toil
Date: 4/22/2014 3:07:00 PM
And I am happy to meet you as well, lovely Connie. Your words ring so true. I actually was once a rock climber when I was younger. And that feeling of oneness "with the divine source" you refer to is exactly what it feels like when you are holding onto to a rock face. I am so gratified I could convey to you this image. Thanks so much for your warm, inviting comment. Peace..Sam
Date: 4/21/2014 8:27:00 PM
Enjoying your writing... this piece, a great metaphor for life.
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Sam Toil
Date: 4/21/2014 8:37:00 PM
Hi Faye. Thanks for stopping by. And for your gracious comment. Its so nice to meet you. I look forward to reading your work. Peace...Sam
Date: 4/21/2014 4:06:00 PM
Very expressive, emotive, and creative work..I like the use of the metaphors..Thanks for the visit to my page.Sara
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Sam Toil
Date: 4/21/2014 4:21:00 PM
Sara. As always I cherish your thoughts. I look forward tomorrow morning to begin my day with one your many, many beautiful works. Peace.