Would it not be much easier
to call a truce?
Let me enjoy a nibble
of that carrot that's been dangling,
collecting dust
and soured emotions
found on a journey
that was never mine to plan.
Would it not be much easier
to end the chase,
stop the lust
for everything
we've never had?
Coveting the dreams of another
only holds appeal for so long
and once obtained
the realization it was never yours
can be hard to swallow.
What are we doing?
Living this way?
Why are we letting them win?
We had everything
all the trinkets that promised happiness
and were near destroyed
simply trying to hang on.
Life's not meant to be lived this way.
I don't need much...
I know that now.
You are what is needed,
but there are times
you get so caught up in the carrot
I almost forget you're here.
~NH
We're waving good-bye to our first year with dVersePoets as we get ready to open the doors for OpenLinkNight #52! And what a wild year it's been. Because of this group, I have found support, advice, and amazing talent that the world needs more now than it ever did. Swing by at 3pmEST with your words, and I'll trade you for a pint of poetry...see you at the pub!
57 comments:
looking forward to it Tash...you are a big part of that year...smiles...
ugh on the carrot, it will drive you insane chasing it and where you start to wise up they will find a new carrot to put out there to keep you blind to the life you could be living...i love your realizations in this as well...dont lose that...
Excellent writing - I tried to write something similar (http://ihatepoetry.joeuser.com/article/140539/The_Carrot_Is_Always_Different) but you did this so much better than I could have. Thanks for sharing it.
when i saw your tweet with the poem title, i was so curious and thought...what is she writing about...and so love the picture you painted...Life's not meant to be lived this way...so true...and i agree with bri..you're a big part of that year tash..thanks for everything you're doing.. you rock!!!
Yup! Life is...BIG. And all we want is "all of it". But all I really need is a nibble of that carrot. Say hey?
Good JOB, Natasha
I'm gonna read all the 'familiar poets' this evening! JOY! (NOT all 168, I guess!!!)
PEACE!
Love this...the use of the carrot..just excellent!
Love the image of the carrot - especially the idea that, once caught, it can be hard to swallow! Contentment is so much more peaceful a goal - less glitzy to express, but long lasting. Great write.
A beautiful and strong lyric poem, Natasha. xxxj
yeah, for your poem....and OLN#52. I have been so happy ever since getting off that same material and immaterial treadmill of NEED...glad you and hopefully those around you join this same club....really well done presenting it. Thank you.
the realization it was never yours
Yes, simplicity, in the end, is the treasure we all seek. Nicely and beautifully expressed.
Happy 1 year!
That carrot, illusions to be chased that don't really nourish. I like how you've written about this. It is better to know we have enough.
I join you in celebrating a year of Dverse. Time flies, it's been fun.
I agree... All that extra stuff is just that and it doesn't bring happiness that's for sure. Great piece, Tash!
Losing focus is easy, isn't it? I think there are false carrots out there to distract us from what we really hunger for. Wonderful work, Tash.
I love absorbing the wisdom and artistry of your words. As I said to Claudia and Brian - Thank you for all you've done to bring us a year of poetry community. Y'all are visionaries - the world needs you and we poets need you!
Last lines are so sad...and true--I feel like almost all of us have this conflict going on--to push for things that are so far from what is really needed for happiness, and to push so hard, happiness itself gets pushed away. Enjoyed it much.
oh,the wants we have -- Natasha you caught our consumerism & drive to win at all costs. Simply put the life we lead can take us away from the life we absolutely need! Excellent write!
"Coveting the dreams of another
only holds appeal for so long
and once obtained
the realization it was never yours
can be hard to swallow."
This core clarified for me that the carrot is only the partner's aim. That the speaker tried, and learned that "simply trying to hang on" took on too much mis-identity. Missing identity. Mistaken identity. Gone.
Loved this piece and it's so true. I love reading others' take on something I've been thinking about.
I'm fairly new to the pub and haven't had a chance to meet everybody, yet. So, Hi! I gave up chasing carrots a few years ago. Now the only carrots in front of me are love and life. All those other quests, as Brian said, "will drive you insane.." I love how you've put these feelings to words.
This is so true!
I like this, and I agree.
Oh, Tash ... this poem is almost like a sign to me. :) Thank you. Such a lovely poem *sigh*.
I am in awe of what you and everybody else has done here! And I'm so surprised that y'all manage to be nice to me, some kid that just tries to write!
Here's to another great year!
-- Z
We often forget what is most important in our lives. Taking things for granted instead of cherishing. I like it!
Uber groovy, I really enjoyed this. I am reminded of Thoreau's "the mania of owning things"- not sure if that is what you were going for- but that is what came to mind. Peace.
So true! We need to forget about that carrot; I'll bet it tastes bitter anyways. :)
We all get caught up chasing the carrot. I loved how you used that as am image of what's really importaint
"collecting dust
and soured emotions
found on a journey
that was never mine to plan." LOVE this...and wow a year...how amazing is that?
Love love love....
Indeed..life is not meant to be lived this way! Why do I also see what you see...and yet I fall for the damn carrot time and time again. How I envy your clear vision here, Tash! A really interesting and important write! Thank you for this reminder!
Chasing daydreams, money, fame, kudos - all those carrots are as dross. Your poem is full of fundamental truths.
Lovely realization and lament in the end ;)
good read !
Another one of your greats Tash, I love the conversational 'come and play' tone of this, inviting the reader in to the debate. Very cool x
Another one of your greats Tash, I love the conversational 'come and play' tone of this, inviting the reader in to the debate. Very cool x
As in the lyrics of the song "Make Someone Happy:
..."where's the real stuff in life to cling to? Love...love is the answer"
It may not surprise you to hear that i prefer the stick! - lol
...if we surrender the thirst for possessions and things and just be... maybe we might think more about are brothers and sisters...
stick a carrot in that Big Wheel tash - you go girl!!!
You do rock! Thanks for all your enthusiasm and support. Excitement is always good to get us going, hopefully in the right direction ;)! Gardenlile
It is amazing how little we truly need, I think we come to understand that as we get older. Everything we need is contained in each breath.
Love the sentiment here, the realization, the revelation.
Natasha,
Yes, we were often led off the beaten track to pursue but not appreciating when we achieved success.
Man's wants are unlimited. That's probably it!
Hank
Arrgh - no point chasing carrots - so true
Wow. That's so gorgeous. Makes me sad thinking of my ex, how it was like that. Beautifully rendered.
"you get so caught up in the carrot
I almost forget you're here."
wow, really hits a nerve...
great poem.
You capture that point in every marriage where change is necessary for it to endure. One has to take stock every few years, because as one approaches a goal, the appeal of it wanes. I have had many new starts in my life, and am ready to start another. This doesn't mean the marriage will or should end, but it means it is time for a recommitment to love in a different setting with new understanding, and defining more personal needs. You captured it all brilliantly here!
Natasha, great job continuing dverse. Y'all are a great team. As for the carrot, it's ours to chase or disregard. The World is that carrot, encouraging us to want more and more... and it's up to each of us to be satisfied with what we have. Great anology, and thanks for a fun write. Peace, Amy
A nice little twist with what you have spun....
Natasha..I think bugs bunny the famous orator said..whats up doc..and he ate carrots all the time..we don't really have a clue..and the carrot and the stick..have us on a treadmill beautiful work Poetess.Lovely verse as always..my friend
Carrots are better than sticks :)
Ah Natasha, the more of our life we devote to objects the less we have left for ourselves. A brilliant an very observant write, as usual. Been away for a while, so I trust all is well with you and yours. Hugs, James.
It feels like an unwilling union. There is no solace in "coveting the dreams of another". Nice to see realization after the chase. Congrats on the year!
Wise words Natasha.
Chasing the impossible dream just brings heartache...
Anna :o]
We must cherish our life and work towards our dreams.Happiness can be found inside your soul, it's been there all along. I love your poem!
It's nice to meet you!
Truths poetically spoken...especially can be true of us in America, I think.
Wonderful words and the image of the carrot is so creative and telling...
:)
ooo...marvellous! Great opening...
"there are times
you get so caught up in the carrot
I almost forget you're here." -
what a great reminder, yes, we need a truce ;-)
very nice piece natasha
I can relate! Sometimes I'm so caught up myself in chasing that carrot, that I forget to stop and nibble the lettuce.
I like a lot
powerful poem
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