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Footprints In the Snow

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Walking under overcast sky I trod through drifted snow, no longer bearing allegiance to platitudes disguised as wisdom spun in gingerbread houses of the holy, an asymmetrically challenged splinter on a white horizon, leaving a trail of footprints on my frozen path. Behind me lies the ranch house, shutters closed in rapid eye movement, dreaming of acres of wheat and barley gleaming in July's opaque sunlight. They will not know I've gone, will assume I'm out walking. Only as gray dusk settles on the porcelain landscape will they wonder where I am. In my dark coat and cap, shouldering a pack, I move past the fence posts where snow mounds like the litter of attic antiques reciting memories in foreign tongues. One leafless elm bears witness to my departure, waving in benign breeze. Lest my tears freeze I hold them back. Though my footprints sprint backwards in the charcoal of sacrosanct earth I must stay to my gospel: to the naked eye the flat distance may only promise glaciers, but I seek the aurora borealis hidden in daylight's dim emergence, where the crocus blooms in barren existence. 11/29/18

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018




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Date: 4/14/2021 7:50:00 PM
Beautiful poem. Sometimes one needs to leave that something behind, in order to find that which might be better. Congratulations and take care, Dale.
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Dale Gregory Cozart
Date: 4/19/2021 7:22:00 PM
Thank you very much, George.
Date: 4/12/2021 6:54:00 PM
Seeking where the crocus bloom is so poignant in its resolve. Love this Dale! Lonna
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Dale Gregory Cozart
Date: 4/19/2021 7:22:00 PM
Thanks so much, Lonna.
Date: 12/30/2018 7:19:00 AM
Change can be very challenging but needed for growth; way to stick to your beliefs in spite of others who might not understand. Congrats on your win.
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Dale Gregory Cozart
Date: 12/30/2018 8:21:00 AM
Thanks, Phil.
Date: 12/29/2018 3:40:00 PM
I found the poem both sad and uplifting moving on to pastures new but leaving the past behind, Many congrats on your win Dale love your interpretation of the contest prompt:-) hugs Jan xx
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Dale Gregory Cozart
Date: 12/29/2018 5:34:00 PM
Thanks so much, Jan.
Date: 11/30/2018 7:26:00 PM
Dale, your poem, of chasing one’s heart’s desire, is beautifully emotive in the mixed emotions experienced of someone leaving one life-path to walk another on a journey of self-fulfillment. Awesome poetry. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
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Dale Gregory Cozart
Date: 11/30/2018 7:34:00 PM
Thank you, Susan.
Date: 11/30/2018 10:52:00 AM
Really very cool Dale. Paints a picture in the mind that is a bit sad but very freeing. Nicely done.
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Dale Gregory Cozart
Date: 11/30/2018 10:57:00 AM
Thanks very much, Chris. Good to hear from you.
Date: 11/30/2018 6:35:00 AM
A magnificent poem..so well written, Dale!
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Dale Gregory Cozart
Date: 11/30/2018 8:22:00 AM
Thanks very much, Vijay.

Book: Reflection on the Important Things