Hi, I'm new. Any constructive criticism would be appreciated. I'm not generally one to make excuses, but know that I've just started dabbling in poetry recently. The extent to which this is free verse scares me a bit, but just let me know what you think.
The currents of life’s pathway only
get harder to navigate
the older he gets.
From 8 to 16,
he goes from poolside
to the Olympics on television.
He watches,
not really watching,
life no longer so simple.
His music,
no longer whatever his parents turn the dial to,
used to ground him if he gets too high.
Slowing down,
Slowing down,
The shark finally overtakes him.
Five years more and he meets Her.
Is it love, is it loss?
He knows not yet, but his mind, out of practice,
pushes toward the latter.
It is easier just to make assumptions.
The easier assumption is that she will hurt him.
One day at a coffee shop,
he sits introspectively.
She walks in, radiating a beauty
befitting only one who knows
precisely what she wants in life.
She orders her drink
and takes a seat…
across from him.
Perhaps he has finally found
That Which He’s Always Needed.
Perhaps she is what makes life worth living.
Life is all about searching for That Which You’ve Never Had.
Without goals,
without a reason for living, you float.
Your life is without meaning.
Life is all about working to achieve whatever it
is you’ve set as your goal to accomplish.
Sure, I refer to lifetime achievement.
But, there are also daily doses
of meaning.
Of inspiration.
Wake up.
Go to school.
Make friends.
Woo your girl.
Whatever it is you do, put forth
the effort to do it well.
Never anything less.
Living.
Once again the most rudimentary
Of pool exercises.
