All the best

[jurisprudent]

“All the best”, he said,
And firmly shook my hand,
On the door as I was leaving,
The room where fantasies come true,
The thick red carpet of centuries past,
The wooden table where gods would dine,
Oil portraits scrutinizing me, listening to me,
And I hoped, no, I dreamed
That I have returned to the serenity
Of my mother’s womb,
To the place I truly belong.
The door is closing and my steps
Slowly withdraw to the world outside,
The magic still dwells within me,
But as I walk, as I leave,
I still feel the firm handshake,
The voice that said “all the best”
And I hear it again,
As a farewell, a goodbye
To all the chamber’s treasuries I would not gain,
A sigh of fate rolling the wheel,
Turning the tide, saying
Not here, not here,
Alas.

[deryk]

I'm trying to figure out where "here" is. Some sort of commencement ceremony. The birth imagery dislocates my senses a bit. You'll never obtain "true" knowledge? That was my reading.

[jurisprudent]

Very interesting reading. Thinking about that, and re-reading my own stuff, I agree it can be interpreted this way, absolutely. However, as a matter of fact, it is related to a real event of my life, to a place connected with my professional development and my desire to become a part of it; so "here" is indeed a "commencement ceremony", but in a bit different sense, let's call it a commencement of a professional membership to a certain community/guild (or inability to join). But, to a reader not knowing what was running in my head when I was writing the piece, I admit it may sound as place of true (and sacred?) knowledge. Thank you for your comment.

[Buh4Bee]

I am glad you commented on this poem. I read it very concretely several times. It seemed that it could be taken as a kind of reflective piece.

These lines:
And I hoped, no, I dreamed
That I have returned to the serenity
Of my mother’s womb,
To the place I truly belong.

Contrasted against the hand shake and "All the best" spoke to the disappointment and acceptance of the situation.

[jurisprudent]

Yes, exactly; the contrast between the inner sense that "this is the place where I belong to" and the realization that, politely, you have been turned away, to your own disappointment and dismay

[Buh4Bee]

I think this is a situation many can relate too! Being rejected is part of the professional process.

[jurisprudent]

Exactly; but I think I make it here a bit more mystic and poetic, or at least I try to; not like getting your paper application back along with a kind dismissal

[Jerrybaldy]

I had no true idea what the subject matter was but the style of your writing and something about the repetition of 'all the best' made me feel I was in a familiar place and I agree that you did make it feel both mystic and poetic.
cheers
JB

[jurisprudent]

Thank you very much! I am glad I managed to convey not words but feelings, atmosphere, possibly idea and vision.

[the facade]

I am glad you commented on this poem. I read it very concretely several times. It seemed that it could be taken as a kind of reflective piece.

These lines:
And I hoped, no, I dreamed
That I have returned to the serenity
Of my mother’s womb,
To the place I truly belong.

Contrasted against the hand shake and "All the best" spoke to the disappointment and acceptance of the situation.

"Of my mother's womb" kinda threw me off. Seemed a bit misplaced to the rest of the imagery which I liked very much.

"All the best" certainly reverberates through the poem and makes the rejection all the more disappointing.

Good poem!

Good day

[jurisprudent]

Thank you. It may be a bit harsh (my mother's womb) but I like contrasting imagery, leaving the reader without rest while going along the text, with surprising bits and pieces scattered under the otherwise flat surface.