I have likened writing a novel to going on a journey, with some notion of the destination I will arrive at, but not the whole picture - which emerges gradually as a series of revelations, as the journey goes along.
quote by Rose Tremain

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The Journey without shortcuts
The Journey traveled without shortcuts,
is a journey worth taking.
For there are no shortcuts,
to any place worth going.
The destination does not matter,
but the Journey to it does.
For at the destination,
you will not learn anything.
You will not accomplish much either.
On the Journey to it, however,
you learn many things,
and accomplish much.
On the Journey,
you learn. You learn that,
'We are not human beings on a spiritual journey,
but spiritual beings on a human journey.' (-my good friend Joe)
So travel hard,
and travel well.
Choose your companions wisely,
and leave everything behind.
Never look back,
always move forward.
For 'Yesterday is history,
and history is miles away.' (-Matthew West)
But never forget anything either,
learn all that you can,
and treasure the good times.
Then this Journey will be like no other.
This is the Journey,
of life.
Our life here on Earth,
so don't take shortcuts.
This Journey won't be easy,
but you have a guide.
The guide will never leave your side,
and he will carry you through the rough terrain.
He loves you more than you will ever know,
and he gave you this Journey,
so travel it while holding his hand.
You are not alone.
So again,
never look back,
but don't forget either,
and don't stop.
Don't take any shortcuts,
run the whole race.
You are not alone
on this Journey,
the Journey of life.
(13 Jan.2009)
poem by Melissa Wagner

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My Destination
The distance is not so far
Time is very short
It has to be utilized properly
My journey takes me to my destination
The world knows my destination
In a few seconds
In a few minutes
In a few hours
In a few days
In a few months
In a few years....
In every moment my journey takes me to my destination
poem by Z.I. Mahmud

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A Journey With You
When I join in a journey with you
I never ask for the destination
I never ask when will this end
Or when shall we begin again
When I walk with you
I hope that this will never end
I wish that this journey never ceases
When you are with me
I float in so much space
With the stars and meteors
In the darkness we have so much light
In our hearts in this journey we have so much joy
poem by Ric S. Bastasa

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Perpetual Journey
It came in a dream
-the journey never lasts forever-
It was borne by a dream
- every road has its destination -
A road less traveled
seems the most arduous road of all.
A journey unplanned the most animated
- ensuing a distant call -
brought on by their thoughts, their longings, hopes - their fate.
Their destination already in mind’s eye
possessions sold for attaining a distant goal
not knowing whether submission merits attainment.
A leper reaching for Olympic gold.
Still - the uncertainty of what the future holds
turns routine to adventure
obligation to favor
exploring together the reason for being in unison:
Bridges crossed never are burned
always having a safe retreat
Springs drank from always left to replenish
an abundance to drown in on defeat.
Traveling
A road leading in on itself
a journey prolonged excessively
a journey in itself justifying the destination
the journey ultimately being the destination
Till then being cold feet on hard pavement
seeking hold on the tunneled gloom of desolate track
yet being at peace and contented
showering the journey with roses
reliving every moment whether grievous or elated
poem by Johan Venter

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Journey Is One
JOURNEY IS ONE
Leaning on each other by choice
Holy books of all faiths showing harmony
Echoing their sentiments in universal voice
Baring out truth of one testimony
Journey is one paths are different
Message of every passage is same
Look beyond the messengers being tolerant
For all religions in divine’s name
Towering to skies in same horizon
Holy symbols of all beliefs joining hands
Showing the strength of one vision
Writing one scripture making a stand
Journey is one when it’s all done
Destination is same in everyone’s heart
Like the course of sun and moon
On any given day from the very start
Playing together in world of laughter
Children of all disciples sharing same love
Reaching out to friends and strangers
In the spirit of one God above
Journey is one for each and everyone
How they travel may be different
Some are straight some are ups and downs
Still it is the same after life is burnt
poem by Mittur Ramprasad

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Once Complete and Put Together
Admire those who stood with beliefs undaunted.
Those who did not choose to flaunt correctness.
Or exposed a weakened disposition.
Some have rode as passengers...
Seated with sights that ignited clearer perceptions.
Others have been treated to a scenic view.
Either way...
All will arrive at the same destination.
Not at the same time!
However,
Everyone will have opportunities...
To describe their journey.
And the picture observed will no longer be in pieces!
Once complete and put together to share!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

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A Life Journey!
Ignorance is darkness of cave under ocean!
Fear ever rules the mind of darkness sure!
Knowledge is power of Sun over life ever....!
Knowledge of all things is Stars of Universe!
Exploring this Universe is joy endless ever!
But journey sans destination is blind adventure
Leading one nowhere but to disillusionment only!
Fast accrual of all knowledge begins journey first;
Vision based on full knowledge gives whole picture;
Ambition then based on vision leads to achievement!
This life ambition only can make life enthusiastic,
Lead life journey with a purpose never deviating!
So, knowledge journey reveals all truths unknown
And also realize ultimate reality to be one with all!
poem by Ramesh T A

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Life And Time
if life is a book, then time is pen--writing pages of life journey;
if life is a piece of white paper, then time is color--painting more colorful life journey;
if life is a long river, then time is surging waves--pushing forward of life journey;
if life is a tree, then time is pieces of green leaves--enriching life journey;
if life is a door, then time is just the key--opening new start of life journey;
if life is a cup of coffee, then time is a bag of condiments--flavoring into life journey;
if life is a scene of tv play, then time is nameless leading role in it--performing its own speical and unique life journey;
if life is a oil painting, then time is its palette--rendering life journey;
if life is a fast horse, then time is its running greenland--carrying load of life journey;
if life is a greenland, then time is spring rain--moisturing nutrition of life journey
...........
this is ur own life, a life which only belong to ur own, ur sepcial and unique one.......
poem by Flying Heart

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Awakening Means....
awakening means....
i can hear you!
i can see you!
i can taste you!
i can feel you!
i breathe in our suffering,
i breathe out our freedom.
awakening means...
no need for a name!
no need for possessions.
no need to conquer!
no need to convert!
i breathe in our humanity,
i breathe out our equality.
awakening means....
i cannot help but care!
i am already involved.
i am immersed and drenched.
i have countless forms.
i breathe in our common labor,
i breathe out our sacred journey.
awakening means...
the journey is the destination.
we are the journey.
we are the destination!
poem by Eric Cockrell

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Journey to Be
I think I'll journey out some day to wondrous lands afar,
Or even chart a journey to a distant blazing star.
But rest assured that when my journey begs to take its cue,
Always know that when I go, this journey takes you too.
We'll start our journey out from here by horse and cart of old,
The seaside docks - and journey pauses - where we shall behold
A noble schooner for the journey primed to launch as planned:
To sail with dolphins cross the seas then journey back on land.
And so our journey goes by foot to conquer mountains tall:
A chapter hence the journey reached, with scenes that should enthral.
But when we tire, let's rest our journey, stretched in fields of flowers,
And bathe atop the mountain from the journey - autumn showers!
Refreshed, our journey takes a turn - we'll venture back for home,
But first we'll let the journey take a tangent just to roam.
And in the winding route, this journey's bound to bide content,
But most of all take heed - let's make our journey life's event.
Copyright © Mark R Slaughter 2009
poem by Mark R Slaughter

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Journey From A Small Place
I think I'll journey out some day to wondrous lands afar,
Or even chart a journey to a distant blazing star.
I make a journey in a paper
A contemplation ink in white field
I make a journey inside the book
Traveling my imagination in the word ocean
I make a journey under the table
A furious food battle on the ground
I make a journey on top of the roof
Transforming myself among the cloud in the sky
I make a journey outside the glass
A different possibility faces on the transparent canvas
I make a journey at the bridge
Clearing the dark shadow with the water current
I make a journey above the tree
An adventure child who never stops to grow
I make a journey over my pillow
Bringing a piece of dream to reality world
poem by Selam G. Sekuar

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Silent Walk
My life is
my own journey.
The journey, in which
I am waiting for myself
To finally arrive
from all far away distances.
Still, I am happy to hear
my own silent walk
Even more than to look at
the roads on which I traveled.
poem by Vida Nenadic

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On The 'I Am' Series....
the 'I Am' series for me has been
a journey, a constant and continual
sense of evolving, finding the self by
'losing the self in the selves of all others',
the identity that has not a name, but many names...
many faces, many colors, many smells...
the raw sense of the connection,
the sacredness of the common,
the ecstatic weeping of souls joined by need.
the dance of the spirit, the sensuality...
and the pounding beat of hearts within hearts.
if i ever put together another book, this
will be it! this is what i have to say!
this series contains the wholeness, and all
the broken pieces of my life.... these poems smell
like me, and like you!
thank each of you for bearing with me....
we are the journey!
poem by Eric Cockrell

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Journey From Small Place
I make a journey in a paper
A contemplation ink in white field
I make a journey inside the book
Traveling my imagination in the word ocean
I make a journey under the table
A furious food battle on the ground
I make a journey on top of the roof
Transforming myself among the cloud in the sky
I make a journey outside the glass
A different possibility faces on the transparent canvas
I make a journey at the bridge
Clearing the dark shadow with the water current
I make a journey above the tree
An adventure child who never stop to grow
I make a journey over my pillow
Bringing a piece of dream to reality world
poem by Maria Sudibyo

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Journey Again
At times in our journey
We reach place with lot of greenery
Lovely place to stay for long
Good people to be with for life
But when seasons change
And wind changes its direction
We need to set out on our journey again
To a journey that never concludes
As I stand looking as far as I could see in the direction of road ahead
Series of events roll down my memory lane
And tears dropp from my eyes
And a question arises is it all worth the challenges ahead?
But in the end you need to win over your emotions
Win over your doubts
And continue the journey again
In the direction of Sun
As you pursue the journey again guarding against all odds
Putting all your learning in practice
Ensuring mistakes not repeated
Dreams are achieved
But you know that life has in store new lessons to teach you.
And new places to take you.
So loosen your belts; set your wings far & wide
And let the winds take you to places
poem by Vijay Sherigar

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On A Journey
on a secret journey
the two of us
keep covering our tracks
in silence we keep the
grass alive
the hush always a hush
vespers in whispers
when we arrive at the destination
we look back to the hills and plains
we leave nothing
we taking nothing
poem by Ric S. Bastasa

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Journey Towards Light
Walking on the road, I realized something amiss
On turning my back I saw my shadow had disappeared
Leaving me all alone in my journey towards light;
I searched for my companion everywhere
But to my grief he got lost somewhere in darkness
Leaving me all alone in my journey towards light
I don’t know how to pursue my journey without him?
Scared enough to take a step ahead
But determined to achieve my goal I began to walk
Not caring for obstacles and darkness in my path.
After reaching at the end of dark tunnel
I saw a ray of light
My happiness knew no bounds
But there came a voice from somewhere
And it was of my companion shadow
He told me, “My friend your journey in light has just begun
Keep following your path towards wisdom and you shall
Achieve your goal”.
Indeed he was right.
My journey towards light has just begun and
It’s a Long way before I reach my destination.
Not at all pleasant
Journey from the Stream,
with a pot of water on the head,
Strugling from side to side,
in a Narrow path.
Stoney and wild.
A big pot on the head,
filled with water, pure and clean.
Opens to the air is the Pot.
Strugling, Strugling she goes,
all over her is wet.
Just half the Journey she's gone,
strugling, stumbling and fighting
with the Road and Pot on her head.
Viewing her destination she smiled,
She takes a sigh of relief.
Just about ending her Journey,
She stumbles, with no helping hand,
No rescue, no one to call,
No strength to guide the Pot;
Down it goes.
Water, water every where.
she cries, bitterly weeping.
Oh! back on the Journey she returns,
Like a sheep with no shepherd.
Hmm! what a World.
poem by Jackson Nyoho

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The Journey
when you can look
in the mirror,
and see your self naked
without running like hell...
the journey begins!
when you can look
at your every action,
judging your self honestly
by motive and intent...
the journey begins!
when you can give away
all that you cling to
without asking for anything
in return...
the journey begins!
when you can do the right thing
irregardless of the cost,
not caring what anyone says
or thinks...
the journey begins!
when you can see the faces
of God in the people you
despise the most, the ones
who've hurt you the most...
the journey begins!
poem by Eric Cockrell

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Two Pathways
Two pathways for one journey...
a start from two to one
and the journey has just begun...
On this journey of many trials and tribulations
the two shall merge as one,
starting on their journey, that has just begun...
For love shall conquer all,
and will always prevail,
for the two that were once apart,
will now forever be one...
poem by Nancy Winter Miranda

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