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Rett

Nov 02, 2008 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

Lost Soul

Lost Soul

I lost my soul today
When I put my pen away
I found the ink had dried
And my very soul had died
And I couldn’t help feeling that way

Paper blankly staring
My heart had lost all caring
And the sad feeling inside
As if a broken heart cried
Though my mind was way beyond sharing

I sat myself back down
Then turned and looked around
While the chair I was steering
Squeaked as if it was jeering
And I found all my friends had left town

I found my soul again
There where it had always been
Carefully dusted it off
Ironed it out, held it aloft
And I was back to enjoy my sin

I lost my soul today
When I put my pen away
I found the ink had dried
And my soul had died
And I couldn’t help feeling that way

— Rett, Nov 02, 2008

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Southern Texas, USA

Favorite Poets: Dickenson, Longfellow

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More from this author

Critiques

17 years 7 months ago

The nagging emptiness...

The feeling a poet gets when he couldn't write is captured in this piece, but it goes on to regain the 'Lost Soul'. An interesting story on the redemptoin of soul, carefully rendered, and masterly presented for us to share. Well done and best wishes. T.

17 years 7 months ago

Thank you T.

It seems that you understand well sir! *S* Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

Love the repetition

at the end. As always, another quality write. Tom http://www.neopoet.com/node/12548

17 years 7 months ago

Thank you Tom

Sometimes repetition is what glues a poem together. Glad you liked it. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

lost soul

that empty feeling inside can be cause by life many disappointments is well versed here. your heartfelt poem is well written. enjoyed reading Respectfully Yours, Barbara

17 years 7 months ago

Thank you Barbara

A bit of maudlin stuff, but nonetheless true. Life has many disappointments. I appreciate it my friend. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

Bravo! The muse, however,

Bravo! The muse, however, doth returneth. ;-) Love. ~A

17 years 7 months ago

Thanks Anna

The muse always returneth. It seemeth like a boomerang. *G* I appreciate it. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

Z

zarul

17 years 7 months ago

Hi RETT

I am totally blushed when my latest poem becomes your inspiration. Thank you Rett for making me feel respected. I dont have much to comment for this poem speaks its own voice. VERY NICE WORK, MY FRIEND ZARUL

17 years 7 months ago

zarul, you are respected

and I am one who believes in giving credit where credit is due. You yourself have become a fine poet and you will find over time that the inspiration will come from everywhere. A line in some poem, a word you hear, something so silly as tripping on a crack in a sidewalk (read "Love is Painful"). I appreciate you reading my friend and I look forward to reading more of yours! Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

Rett,

the ability to write has it's own life and every now and again it goes on holiday to return refreshed. your inspiration for writing knows where home is just like an old horse. It always comes back. Even in this poem of loss inspiration there is inspiration! Damn good write. thanks, Eddie "do like the once barren tree: flourish and like the planted seed: rise" Jose de Deigo

17 years 7 months ago

Much obliged Eddie

Yep, like riding a bike, you never forget even though you may get off to a shaky start. Glad you enjoyed it. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

Actually to be a true poet,

Actually to be a true poet, imo everything is of value, of consequence and authority.... every nuance of possible nuance allows the poet to deep sea dive into the ocean and return with a pearl. Love. ~A

17 years 7 months ago

absolutely Anna

I write about any and everything. Even my unreasonable fears as in "The Bully". *LOL* It is amazing what a poet can see to write about when they take the blinders off. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

Janice

I am happy you found it resonated with you. Glad to see you back. Will check. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

Thanks to each of you

Each one of you that read, commented and/or voted, I sincerely appreciate it. I never expect one to reach a spotlight and it never ceases to amaze me when something I write makes it there. It is truly an amazing thing to me to see people actually liking what I write. Thank you. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

L

17 years 7 months ago

Lost and Found again!

You lost your pen and lost your soul, fell into a deep, dark hole. Friends had left, you felt bereft, and didn'tg even care! But pen came back, with soul intact, friends returned, and now you've learned, that poems are yours to share! Great poem, Rett!

17 years 7 months ago

LOL Great little summary Lonnie

Thank you, I appreciate it. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

We should rename "The Spotlight" to

"The RettLight".... who are you kidding? Congrats, Tom

17 years 7 months ago

Thanks Tom

But I am sincerely surprised. I went so dang long where the words I wrote were ignored or made fun of because I rhymed. It is a rare treat to have them read and appreciated. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

Blank paper...

it hits us all... Zarul really wrote an excellent poem... inspiring! enjoyed your poem Rett... and appreciate it being posted for us here... thanks... Richard

17 years 7 months ago

Thank you Richard

Zaruls poem really got me to thinking. I am glad you found it enjoyable Richard. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

T

17 years 7 months ago

hi rett, your words echo my

hi rett, your words echo my frustrations when my paper stays blank - which it has been for a long time for me now - it would a horrible day should you ever just walk away, our world of writers and readers would loose too much. well done and thanks for the hope and inspiration you have provided me. never stop.

17 years 7 months ago

Thank you tink,

if I may, I would like to make a suggestion. Take a walk. Take a pad and pencil with you. Write down what you see. Just brief notes. when you come home, toss them aside, then the next day look at them. Try to expand on them whether it be free verse, rhyme, a paragraph or an observation. Sometimes the simplest of things can move you, but above all, don't worry about it. It comes when it comes and worry just makes it worse. *S* I appreciate your comments and glad you found in them some inspiration. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

Usually something happens

Usually something *happens* to a poet when the page becomes blank for a long time. A friend who *was* a musician (& wrote complicated inovative music) lost his muse when he *bought into* a nasty criticsm. He hasn't yet got his mojo back years later. He was just before his time. Perhaps if you revisit that feeling that you haven't been able to *assimilate*, your *muse* will return. She never leaves you know, just waits until you are *ready willing and able*. Up up and away! Buzz Lightyear. ~A

NM

17 years 7 months ago

Lol Rett.

The way you write makes me think you are a raw and truthful writer of emotions with a touch of a real man. Truly man if you were a woman I would have fallen in love with you. Just joke. You write beautifully. And your picture reminds me of one of the three musketeers ready to fence with words. With respects congrats.

17 years 7 months ago

LOL You found me out Nature

Pretty much everything you said captures me including the three musketeers comparison. I do have one extremely bad habit though, I am a punster but I try very hard to control it. *L* Glad you enjoyed this one Nature and I thank you for the kind words. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

J

Jasmine

17 years 7 months ago

Hi Rett,

Love this poem...to me..I see a poet with no words and feeling totally lost and without writing..we feel a loss of soul...love the repitition of the first paragraph...I have done this on several of my poems...brings about a fantastic finish...

17 years 7 months ago

Thanks Jaz

You have pretty much hit the nail smack dab on the head. that is what it represents. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

I

ivanovich316

17 years 7 months ago

Very good write

An interesting use of the limerick form for a poem that is definitely not a limerck (at least to my limited awareness). The message is strong, close to home and well said. I like the dash of hope at the end. I noticed you used five stanzas and the limerick form uses five lines. This combined with the repition at the end make for a strong overall construct. Really well done, original and very interesting. Second stanza, fourth line seems a bit awkward. Adding sylables screws up the meter, but without something it reads funny. To reiterate, great verse, really enjoyed reading it. John

17 years 7 months ago

Thank you John

Yeah, that line is giving me fits. It is screwy either way. I'll keep working on it. I appreciate it. I based it on the limerick form even though I did not follow the limerick rules. Glad you enjoyed it. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

Rett

The "envelope effect" is what you are using. the first stanza and last stanza are repeated. I think every one of us can relate to this poem Rett. Very well written~ Ivanovich316 picked up on the same line that I felt to stumble a bit on~ ~~~~~~~~~~~Wanda Sykes For President~~~~~~~~

17 years 7 months ago

Thanks Janice

I appreciate it. I'll keep trying on that one line. Maybe I can come up with something that will work. Also, thank you on the envelope effect. Sometimes it works with a poem and sometimes not. This one it does IMO. Glad you could relate to it my friend. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

REtt

I always like what your write. congratulations on the spotlight, and I know we will see you there again

17 years 7 months ago

Thank you Linda

I appreciate it very much. There are so many good people and good poets here it makes my head swimm sometimes. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

awesome, touched me where it hurts

cheers, Jess

17 years 7 months ago

Thanks Jess

I am glad that it was touching to you. I appreciate it! Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

B

17 years 7 months ago

Nicely rendered ...

and thanx, by the way. Yours, Chuck

17 years 7 months ago

Thanx Chuck

I appreciate it. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

17 years 7 months ago

Congrats on spotlight!

Well deserved, friend! ~Jess K. ---------------------------------------------------- -"When I was strong, strong in the sound thought I'd see when day was done. Now I'm weaker than the palest blue Oh so weak in this need for you" - Nick Drake

17 years 7 months ago

Thank you Jess K>

I appreciate it my friend. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

MI

Mohammad Yamin Iraqi

17 years 7 months ago

Lost Soul

An enchanting poem, Rett. Very beautifully expressed. There are unproductive days in every poet's life -cloudy and dull days. Then sun peeps through the corner of the mind's horizon and there is day light. In the second line of the third stanza word "all" seems to be superfluous. Consider deleting it. Best wishes. Mohammad

17 years 7 months ago

Mohammad

Thank you for the kind comment and for the suggestion which was on the money. I have deleted said word. I appreciate it sir. Respectfully, Rett: "Life is like a beach. Salty, gritty, somewhat fishy and at other times, downright crabby" Rett: 2008

P

prayersbyPatty

17 years 7 months ago

Rett

So many comments, I enjoyed your poem. Envelope, Jan is very wise, I won't get wordy, hurts my arm. Awesome Patty