There will be no call to adventure, not until you've dug the stone out of the earth. Not until you've carved the hollow into which the sword will slip one day,
long before you're ready to tie your hiking boots to the straps of your Jansport. All heroes have context. All stories start with days laid low and humdrum weather. If all you have
is want and teeth you have enough. If all you want is enough, you don't. It's better to have empty hands when setting out, to leave room for hoarded trinkets and lessons learned. Nothing left behind
on the chip-crumbed couch, bathed in the empty light of movies you watch like training videos. Relax, darling: the time's not wasted. It's easy to see the shape of things from there, the arc of the call
that meets you where you are. It comes in many shapes and sizes. It sounds like a friend who asks what now? It looks like the lack of rosemary in your cupboard. It feels like a secret loosed
into the shell of your ear which moves your hand onto the hilt. But you have to want it while it's building. You have to dream the story while it grows, so when it finds you it can fit the place you left
open to carry it. It's yours to seize. Please, tell me you're ready.
- Second Place in Snacktime Sonata Challenge
Comments (14)
Well, it took me 20 days to find this, but I'm glad I did! I am almost ready and it's almost time, so I'll call it serendipity! What a beautiful poem, Suze!
Absolutely beautiful Suze. I love that anything can feel like the 'quest' - whether leaving the house to buy milk, learning a new skill, or travelling the world.
The image of the sword drew me in Suze, but I stayed for the insightful thoughts on the beginning of journeys, and when a person knows they are 'ready'. "It's better to have empty hands when setting out, to leave room for hoarded trinkets and lessons learned." Oof! Love that line. This feels like something that gets skipped sometimes between the call and crossing the threshold. The allusions to Arthur are also excellent.
This is brilliant! If all you have is want and teeth you have enough. If all you want is enough, you don't.
I've never been more ready in my life, Suze. Of course, I've also never been less ready. My life is kinda boring. But I like your poem.
After reading this, I do feel ready! This was motivational for me and well-wrought! Thank you!
Stunning Suze. I loved the hopeful upliftng message so much! 🤍
Ugh, this was just amazing. "bathed in the empty light of movies you watch like training videos." This line. It got me. Lovely work as always.
This feels as though your words and thoughts burst forth fully formed from some secret place in the mystical soil of art and feeling. I can easily imagining you furiously writing to capture each and every word before the wonder of its revelation slipped from your grasp. But I also like to think that every line was hard won, that your vision gathered force as you meticulously plotted and charted each line, the rhythm and power of the poem slowly building until you knew in your heart its completeness. However you wrote it, it is an extraordinary poem of beauty, imagination and power. Very well done, Suze! Very well done indeed.
Just, Suze. You are just...such a good writer...such a poet through and through...you write so exquisitely...while also digging deep and finding away to connect with your readers. I am forever feeling in your shadow...in the best possible way. I could pick out huge chunks of this...but then I'd be writing as much in this comment section that you wrote in your whole piece. lol. Just stunning, Suze. Thank you for furnishing us with your gift.
A beautiful, thought provoking piece about time and opportunity!
this feels like it was written just for me 🥹 it’s so absolutely… relevant… as well as beautifully written….
“If all you have is want and teeth you have enough. If all you want is enough, you don't.” Omg. Love it
Beautifully written, imaginative piece… Sorry though, I’m a little tired at the start of my holidays… hopefully someone else is ready today! Hopefully, I will be ready tomorrow!