8.27.2013

I'm No Nomad

Author's note: I recently moved to a new town. A lot of thoughts have been going through my head since I've gotten here. Here a few of them.



Earlier today I went downtown,
found a bench, sat down, looked around,
& realized I didn't know anyone.
I'm a stranger, surrounded by strangers, in this strange land.
I scurried home not long after that thought crossed my mind,
my tail tucked between my legs. 
Seemingly on a whim
I find myself in this little town called Sequim. 
It'll surely take a while to get used to this place.

* * * * * * *

A map of the Puget Sound is on the wall of my new room.
My hometown is completely out of sight,
on the opposite side of the state...
The smell of the once distant ocean drifts through the window.
Fear of the unknown comes in waves, some stronger than others.
A barge makes its presence known in the night.
The horn blast reverberates atop the water, the sand,
& then echoes across the land on which I know reside. 
There's no denying: I was scared to come here. 
I'm a stick in the mud, a creature of habit -
Change just isn't my thing. 
& yet change is everything.
Change is the only constant.
How can we grow without letting go of our fears?

With that said, I can't lie (believe me, I've tried),
my confidence doesn't travel well.
Hell, it often runs dry.
Over my 22 years, I've relied on others to remind me who I am.
I will miss those friends more than anything...
But this isn't goodbye, it's only "til next time."
Thanks to them, I don't have to begin again.
I'm beyond fortunate; I really do have it made.
I may now be in a different place,
but it's still the same face looking back at me in the mirror.
This move has made one thing clear:
This house may or may not become my home,
but I, alone, must become my own comfort zone.
Happiness derives from within.

48 comments:

  1. It's so scary moving to a new town - I've done it more times than I care to remember - but it opens a whole new world of opportunities too.

    Good luck in your new home.

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  2. Nice capture of emotions here. Being in a new place is scary, but it's also a new adventure. Which is always fun.

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    1. You're right: just another adventure. Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. Beautifully expressed emotions of finding oneself away from the habitual surroundings.
    I wish you all the best in this new journey of yours in a new town.

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    1. Thank you for the kind words & the good tidings.

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  4. Alex, your poem is so true. Happiness comes from within. A short story for you: I taught for two years in one city, and decided to move to a bigger city to teach because there would be more opportunities (for so many things there). My principal called me into his office and said to me "You can find the SAME thing in every city....as happiness is within YOU." or something like that. I found him to be correct. You can find what you need or seek anywhere you are....if YOU look. It is all about you and not the surroundings. Anyway, I understand your sadness about moving; but if they are good friends they will remain good things despite the move anyway, and now you have a chance to make more.

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    1. Thank you for sharing your story with me, Mary. & they're the best friends in the world, so I know nothing will change. Thanks for stopping by & leaving such a nice comment.

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  5. I hope you get to appreciate the place you are moving to! The note of optimism at the end shows that you have it in you to find happiness in your new home.

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    1. I'm very optimistic about this opportunity, & I'm glad you could pick up on that in my poem. Thanks for taking the time to read my work.

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  6. a really beautiful imagery within your writing..lots of memorable and moving lines..and a wise conclusion..happiness derives from within, agree with you~

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  7. there is a nice honesty in this alex...i have moved several times...and its not easy finding your place in a new place...and there is def no guarantee that you will either...but you can make a safe harbor for yourself...a home...and perhaps you will find some to travel with you along the way...smiles.

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    1. you are welcome man...hope you are doing well after the move now...

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  8. Bravo Alex!! This is a beautiful prose piece of poetry. I agree wholeheartedly with Brian Miller when he says "there is a nice honesty in this... Also, it feels real, and that's what great prose poetry should do--feel real--relate-able. One more thing, your writing is getting stronger man. Keep pushing. I know I do.

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    1. Thank you for the kind words & the encouragement, Emmett. Always good to hear from you.

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  9. This really captures the feeling of feeling lost and out-of-your element. Some good work with internal rhyme, as well. You're in a beautiful part of the country and I suspect it won't be long before you make new friends. Good luck!

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    1. The most beautiful part of the country, as far as I'm concerned. But then again I could be a little bias. Thank you for your comment, Victoria.

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  10. Alex, not easy to adjust to a new place. I love that the smell of the once distant ocean drifts through the window....Good luck and this is beautifully captured.

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    1. I'm adjusting, slowly. Thanks for reading, Ayala.

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  11. I hope the new home feels like a comfort zone soon. Your off on a new adventure. I envy that.

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    1. Definitely a new adventure. Thanks for stopping by, Nara.

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  12. I can feel your discomfort and worry...well executed here...I'm sure you'll wriggle into a good fit in time...Change is our only constant. Good luck to you! ~jackie~

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    1. Change is our only constant, too true. Thanks, Jackie!

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  13. Being somewhat of a nomad, moving about and living many places I appreciated your poem. I liked the pondering of your new circumstances and the conclusion drawn..wise for your 22 years. It is true..there or wherever you lay your head is a happy home if your draw the good feelings from within.Enjoyed your poem very much, insightful and well written.

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  14. it's not easy moving to a new town and start all over again but also bears lots of chances - but yeah - it does need a lot of courage - all the best for you - you will do good!!

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    1. Thanks for the good tidings, Claudia. Always a pleasure to hear from you.

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  15. Moving is a pain in the butt, but with a new hut comes much fun, as who knows what can be done.

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  16. I live out of state from my hometown and can relate. It's good therapy to capture those moments in words. I've often said that writing poetry is like taking my psychic blood pressure.

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    1. I would agree with that statement, Colleen. Thanks for stopping by.

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  17. a big deal is relocating but writing about it will help frame the shape of the new for sure and I really like the concise nature of the piece: I feel clearer from the reading and it appears you do too so I'm saying 'success'.

    all the best brother

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    1. Thanks for reading, Arron. All the best to you as well.

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  18. nice flow and I could feel the truth in your emotions about moving and where your at, letting go and accepting (positively yet maybe a little reluctantly) the present and forwardness of where you are in this new chapter.

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    1. Your breakdown is spot on. Thanks for taking the time to read my poetry.

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  19. I, alone, must become my own comfort zone.

    Good advice for anyone who moves. I had to do the same thing when I moved overseas to a country where I didn't speak the language. But with time, everything works out. Hang in there!

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    1. Overseas? Your move dwarfs mine in comparison lol. Thank you for the advice, Linda!

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  20. Something I learned from the Polish side of my family--we never say "Good-bye" rather "dopóki się znowu nie spotkamy" translated means 'untill we meet again.' And so it is with true friends, time and distance do not matter. A very wise and perfect last line. Happiness and contentment come from within, and as you adjust to your new town, it too, will feel more like home. Best of luck to you, Alex!

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    1. "Until we meet again," I like that a lot - goodbye is much too conclusive for my liking. Thank you for the kind comment, Ginny!

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  21. I really like your perspective and hope this a step in your journey you will enjoy. And hey, Sequim gets more sun than much of the Puget Sound, so that, to me, would be a bonus!

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    1. Definitely! I'm lucky to live in such a beautiful place!

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  22. Wonderful poem, and I love how it (and you) evolve to a very satisfying ending.

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  23. Alex, I really like your writing and always look forward to seeing a new poem. You said:


    Change just isn't my thing.
    & yet change is everything.
    Change is the only constant.
    How can we grow without letting go of our fears?

    I believe this is true. We have to grow from our fears, and I believe we can. It isn't always comfortable, but when we achieve growth we can look back and smile. I had commented on your poem earlier, Alex, so I will just add this new thought for today. Continued good luck to you.

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to comment again, Mary. I meant to post this poem (http://alexdissing.blogspot.com/2013/06/harmonious.html) for Open Link Night but I guess I posted the wrong one. Not sure how to fix it...

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