Wow Andrea, this one really blew me away. It's another one that can have so many meanings. Well the first line is extremely powerful because it could mean a lot. Is it a metaphor for sadness or loneliness or something more? That's what I think this is about the loneliness a soul can hold. You are on the road alone and it's hard to keep moving forward. I loved the hitchhiker line because cars always pass you by and it seems like when that one person stops for you they are special (and that's where that one person at the end comes in). Sometimes in life we have to take detours to find the right path. And if we have a person to walk with us it makes life so much easier. The metaphors are beautiful and you wrote this so well. Nominated.

Sometimes I read something from you that leaves me speechless and this one of those poems. I cannot even find the words to express how incredibly moving your words are. Just...amazing. This touches me deeply for so many reasons. Wow
Xx

I enjoyed this Maple. I think this poem can be related to on so many levels, from even your first line here. It shows that you are at a place which you know to be familiar, you have been here so many times before, and I think we all have places like that.

The poem itself I feel is aimed at life, at the struggle with your thoughts and emotions, and the "poo" that life can throw at you sometimes. You find yourself at dead end streets in your mind, not being able to accept things nor move on, not being able to escape from this familiar place.

I love the metaphor of being a hitchhiker on a highway, this imagery is so clear to imagine, it is like I can imagine you sticking your thumb out, but not for a lift from a stranger, to another destination, but more of a thumbs up, for a break at life, from stress and grief.

I like your stanza about alleyways, it reminds me of that desperation to do anything to avoid going home. To delay time and even if it means wandering around aimlessly, it sure beats arriving at an unwanted destination.

Great job.

Judges comments

According to my spell checker hitchhiker should either be hitch hiker or hitch-hiker.
But spell checkers are too anal to appreciate poetry so I shall ignore its suggestion.
I have judged many times over the years and almost every week I seem to find that I am commenting on a maple tree poem. I almost managed to avoid this scenario this week but I couldn't ignore this poem. Although only 4 points I believe it is worthy of an HM at least because it has been crafted effortlessly. I love the whole final stanza and that is what swung it for me this week. The middle stanza is a lesson for us all in how to write something that shouts volumes with just a few words. Great imagery and clever word choice, plus as usual we are transported into the scene that the writer has created. Again well done Maple Tree, a great little write.