Hello Andrea,

Everyone knows your nature poems are second to none, but your wistful poems are up there too.

This poem is no exception, it starts off with a poet musing, allowing her mind to drift into past memories; dark, lonely sad ones. In turn, this musing altered a usually lively, upbeat mind to a 'lonely soul, suffering'

At times like these a poet becomes philosophical, analysing our purpose, reasons for past events, possibilities of a countless futures.

How does a mind find its way back home when its been away for say, 10 years?

Andrea, this poem pulls at me in more than one direction, but overall, it tells me that not all battles are lost, sometimes one has to reach a low before heading back to the surface for air. Perhaps having dialogue with a past relative, like a Grandmother, reminding you that this is not your time is the kick needed to head back home?

Glad to be back? We are!

..................

Andrea, a few suggestion, if I may? I'll place them below:

1.

lost in a wilderness which I created:

I became a lonely soul, suffering.
^Line break and punctuation, creating reflective pause.

or,

2.

lost in a wilderness which I molded
a cloying, lonely soul... suffering.
^adding a metaphor of clammy clay to describe 'becoming lonely'

3.

where the Moon and I made a vow....
^added 'the'

4.

I headed east, where I found home
in the loving arms of a man
^
changed word 'into' for 'in'

5.

Ten Years has fallen,
^ delete word 'has' replace with 'have'

6.

I manage to overcome
^ change 'manage' to managed'

All the best Andrea,

Take care,

Michael x

All I will say is ... thank you for coming back and I love you deeply

Andrea, just beautiful. So much longing, so much sadness but also hope and finding a life in another part of the country. No matter what causes you to leave your home you always long to return, even if it's not where you should be. Well done as always-hugs!