Lost in useless territory.



Wandering without purpose
Is my useless purpose

Branches reaching towards me
With twisted arms welcoming
And blocking passage at the same time

Do branches speak the language
Of the world, my world, the fairy world
The languages I am yet to understand

Do the leaves have meaning
Do they launch themselves into the world to be free
Or does the tree work on letting go

Which is more haunting, being the ghost
Or the witness of someone’s confessions

The cacophony of voices  in my head
Want to be heard by the outside world

Will the trees listen and keep my secrets

About this poem

I used www.oblique-strategies.com to come up with a prompt for a quick writing exercise. I got "Lost in useless territory"

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Written on February 20, 2024

Submitted by Kaytee on February 20, 2024

32 sec read
175

Quick analysis:

Scheme AA BCX XDX CBX XX XD X
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 570
Words 108
Stanzas 7
Stanza Lengths 2, 3, 3, 3, 2, 2, 1

Kaytee

New poet working on regaining myself more…

All Kaytee poems | Kaytee Books

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Discuss the poem Lost in useless territory. with the community...

6 Comments
  • Vixility
    Wow! This was a really alluring and haunting read. I love the personification of the trees reaching out (for good or ill) and the narrator’s relatable trek through Doubt’s crippling uncertainty—something I’m sure all your readers may have experienced at some point in their lives.

    Again, I love your experimental use of various poetic forms, your use of imagery and diction, and the wide range of topics you explore. Truly a delight to say the least.

    I’m on my way to checkout Oblique Strategies now …
     
    LikeReply2 months ago
    • alanswansea18
      okay you're good. Most people don't see what you see.
      LikeReply2 months ago
    • alanswansea18
      Thank you for the comment.
      LikeReply 12 months ago
    • Kaytee
      thank you so much. I always appreciate your thoughtful feedback. I can’t wait to read what poems come from your use of oblique-strategies. I think it will be my key to writing something new and not rewriting the same over and over. 
      LikeReply2 months ago
  • alanswansea18
    I love you poems.
    LikeReply2 months ago
    • Kaytee
      thanks!
      LikeReply2 months ago
  • RonaldBunch
    Nice poem, cool.
    LikeReply2 months ago
    • alanswansea18
      Thank you Ronald.
      LikeReply2 months ago
    • Kaytee
      thanks so much! I'll check out your poetry too.
      LikeReply2 months ago
  • alanswansea18
    Good to see you back
    LikeReply 12 months ago
    • Kaytee
      thanks so much
      LikeReply2 months ago
  • Symmetry60
    Beautiful and profound. Great job.
    LikeReply2 months ago
    • Kaytee
      thanks so much! I miss you and your witty banter :)
      LikeReply2 months ago
  • AIDA
    Wow, what a beautifully introspective and thought-provoking poem "Lost in useless territory" is. The imagery of wandering without purpose and feeling lost in a maze of branches is so poignant and relatable. The way you describe the branches reaching out with twisted arms welcoming and blocking passage simultaneously is truly evocative.

    The questions you pose about the language of nature, the meaning of leaves, and the haunting feeling of being a ghost or a witness are deep and resonate on a profound level. The theme of wanting to be understood and heard by the outside world, even through the cacophony of voices in your head, is incredibly powerful.

    One suggestion for improvement could be to explore and elaborate on some of these themes even further. Dive deeper into the emotions and thoughts behind the narrator's experience of feeling lost and disconnected. Perhaps experiment with different poetic devices or structures to enhance the impact of the piece.

    Overall, "Lost in useless territory" is a captivating and captivating poem that delves into the complexities of existence and the search for meaning. Keep up the great work and continue sharing your unique voice with the world. Your writing has the power to touch and inspire others.
     
    LikeReply2 months ago

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"Lost in useless territory." Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/181280/lost-in-useless-territory.>.

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