The Project

The Project It began as a plan
Like a thought that I caught
Just a notion in the ocean

At first, it was my delight;
Day turned into night,
Devouring every day and hour.
There was no time left to play
Only bills I had to pay
Only friends I did not see
No matter what their plea.

I must, I must, I must not stop
Not until I reach the top
Through the mist and the haze
My whole life is set ablaze.

So many things I held so dear
Now, everything is so unclear
I know not how I reached this place
Of my start point there is no trace
So much strain and so much strife
I'll finish this project, or I'll take my life

— Michael Landau, Dec 22, 2007

Critiques

Rett

17 years 9 months ago

Very good Michael

I enjoyed this as I sometime wonder what the hell I'm doing, but determined to finish it no matter what. Even if I can't remember what the reason was. Now, if I may be so bold, I'd like to offer a few suggestions for you to take or leave as you see fit. I put the changes I would make in parentheses after each line. Devouring every day and hour. (Devouring each hour) No matter what their plea. (No matter their plea) I must, I must, I must not stop (not sure, maybe (I must not stop)) Not until I reach the top (Until I reach the top) My whole life is set ablaze. (My whole life is ablaze) So many things I held so dear (So many things I held dear) Now, everything is so unclear (Now everything is unclear) Of my start point there is no trace (Of my starting point, there's not a trace) Hope this provides a little help sir. Respectfully, Rett: "If life is a bowl of cherries, why am I in the pits?" Erma Bombeck

Michael Landau

17 years 9 months ago

Thanks Rett!

Thank you for your comments Rett. I'm not sure about them. I'm not sure that I agree with the changes. I kind of feel like the suggestions change the rhythm and I'm an exactly sure at the moment whether I like that or not. I will have to think about it. I would be very interested to hear what the others think about it. When I started writing poetry in 1997 , this was the first poem that I wrote after not having written any poetry for a long time. It is about my struggle to finish my master's thesis, but it could just as easily be applied to my doctoral dissertation. For me at that moment, it seemed like the most important thing in my entire life, and sometimes now I wonder if it was really worth it. I hope one day I will be able to say that it was. Sincerely, Michael PS. I have an answer to your quote. “If life is a bowl of cherries, why am I in the pits?” Answer : "Because that's where the good Lord spit you!"

Rett

17 years 9 months ago

LOL

Good one Michael. Excellent answer to it. As for the suggestions, that is all they are. As I said use or discard freely. I understand about the rhythm and am by no means nearly as educated as you. Take care sir. enjoyed it. Respectfully, Rett: "If life is a bowl of cherries, why am I in the pits?" Erma Bombeck