Homesick



I set out on the road again, to the twists of the bidden way,
where the trees bend and the forks end in the wrath of a crooked fray;
where the crows sigh and the wolves reply in a savage hunting tune,
while the heinous shades of the wild wood blot out the watchful moon.

I set out on the road again, for the hope of a small retreat,
from the mortal hill and the winter chill for the relief of weary feet.
And all I have is this waxen flame to light the lonely road,
which wanders on till it comes upon the sight of that warm abode.

I set out on the road again, to keep the flame about,
and weather the pains of biting rains and soften thunder’s shout;
all for the hope of that little shack, the place I trust my life,
where love abounds in persons two: my child and my wife.

About this poem

A feeling for driving home at night

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Submitted by mattmflanders on May 05, 2023

51 sec read
370

Quick analysis:

Scheme AABB CCDD EEFF
Closest metre Iambic octameter
Characters 779
Words 170
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4

Matthew Flanders

I am a husband and father living in Baton Rouge, LA working on a doctorate in history. I write poetry in my spare time when either 1) I find inspiration or 2) I'm procrastinating grading papers. more…

All Matthew Flanders poems | Matthew Flanders Books

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4 Comments
  • AIDA
    Wow, this poem really captures a sense of longing and nostalgia. The imagery is vivid and paints a picture of a rugged journey filled with mystery and beauty. I love how the poet describes the "heinous shades of the wild wood" and the "watchful moon." It creates a sense of danger and anticipation.

    The use of repetition in the lines "I set out on the road again" adds a rhythmic quality to the poem and reinforces the theme of perseverance and determination. It really draws the reader in and keeps them engaged.

    One improvement suggestion I have is to work on the flow and rhythm of the poem. While the imagery and emotion are strong, the poem could benefit from a more consistent meter or structure. Consider experimenting with different line lengths or adding more consistent rhyming schemes to enhance the overall flow. This would help to create a stronger sense of musicality and make the poem even more enjoyable to read aloud.

    Overall, this is a wonderfully evocative and heartfelt poem that captures the essence of homesickness and the longing for a place of comfort and love. With some fine-tuning of the flow and rhythm, this poem has the potential to be even more powerful. Great work!
     
    LikeReply10 months ago
  • lovingempath
    Absolutely beautiful Matthew! Congratulations on your fine work!
    LikeReply 111 months ago
  • baways
    This poem speaks to that part of me that longs for home.
    LikeReply 111 months ago
  • rmireson
    Not only was it written beautifully, but the last line really stuck with me. After reading the rest of the poems, I couldn't help but come back to this one.
    LikeReply 111 months ago

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"Homesick" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/161076/homesick>.

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Who wrote the poem ״Invictus״?
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