Bill suggested re-posting this poem which was my first entry for Friday Fictioneers, where each week authors post a 100-word story based on a photo prompt. This prompt showed a ruined house in the middle of nowhere. This was what I wrote over two years ago.
Perspective
He looks out…
sees space,
sees opportunity;
feels freedom.
She looks out…
sees space,
sees emptiness;
feels loneliness.
He looks down…
sees crops,
sees growth;
feels anticipation.
She looks down…
sees dryness,
sees obstacles;
feels discouragement.
He looks inward…
sees challenge,
sees work;
feels tall.
She looks inward…
sees questions,
sees work;
feels uncertain.
He looks toward her…
sees beauty
sees courage;
feels tenderness.
She looks toward him…
sees caring,
sees fortitude;
feels resolution.
They look outward…
see opportunity,
see hardship;
feel purpose.
They look together…
see the sunrise,
see each other;
feel love.
This, that and the other thing 
My timing was perfect – as was yours in posting. I love it!
Happy Saturday, Belinda. Glad you could drop by at the right time. 🙂 Hope all’s well with you and I’m happy you liked the poem.
janet
I loved it Janet. You are so very talented in writing and photography. Huge hugs
And hugs right back to you and yours!
Wow – awesome first entry!
Thanks very much, John.
janet
Life goes both ways, so both are right, up to a point~
You’re right, Larry. That was the point of the poem, that people can see the same situation from very different points of view. But ultimately, they can work things out.
janet
I don’t remember reading this one before when you first posted it, but it is beautiful. Love the emotion carried through the words and flows easily.
This was my very first entry, Joyce, and I wasn’t sure anyone would like as at that time it seemed to me that almost all the stories were sci-fi.
janet
Sci-fi, or not, it was good. 🙂 I liked it. I think if a writer can’t stretch or bend a little to try different genres they can’t be a very good writer because doing just one kind or type of writing without trying other things can squelch their voice some. I think some of the FF writers worry more about competing for the best horror story. At least I got that impression when I was in it. It was another reason I dropped it to do ‘my own thing’ and try some things outside the box. For better or for worse, as it goes. 🙂
Ah, complimentary opposites — the I-Ching comes to mind. Well said.
This is excellent Janet, I love our you built this poem to such a complete ending. Well done.
Thanks, Michael. Nice to see you and I hope all’s well.
janet
Nice poem. But… Why does it seem that the greatest loves tend to stay between people who are sexually attracted to one another? Isn’t that really just Mother Nature’s attraction? That natural drive we all share to focus all of our love and attention onto just one person? If I didn’t say this than I would feel a hypocrite. There are many more mislabeled love poems than actual love poems in this world. I suppose if the world had nothing but young poets than that is all we would have. I guess only age can teach us that true love doesn’t come until much later, if it comes at all. The world is but a wisp of wind, and so too her demands. Love lives far longer than desire.
John, you can certainly love a friend deeply without any sort of sexual attraction and you can love someone apart from sexual attraction. I think that if you focus all your love and attention on one person, you don’t really have much capacity to love, as true love should love others as well. This poem didn’t have anything to do with sexual love but rather the idea that men and women may see a place (in this case) or an event or whatever from different perspectives, yet be willing and able to love each other and overcome the differences to move on together.
As for true love, I agree that often when people are young or first meet, their initial attraction comes from appearance. Love certainly has to grow beyond that and should deepen as people mature, no matter the age that happens. Thanks for your thoughts.
janet
This is exactly how couple grow together – where differences just enhance the feeling of common growth. This was before my first entry at Friday Fictioneers
Well said, Björn.
janet
it does matter a lot how we look a things… glad they both found each other and can walk that path together…
I’d add, Claudia, that if we love someone, it’s also important to realize and verbalize those difference so the other person can understand us better and growth and tolerance can occur.
janet
Truly beautiful, Janet. An extraordinarily excellent use of words.
Thanks, Sandra! Nice to have you visit.
janet
Its all a matter of perspective, isn’t it ~ There’s always opportunity, purpose and love if and when we decide there’s sunrise and love ~
And different perspectives don’t mean lack of love or the inability to be together in a healthy, loving relationship
janet
when we can begin to see others perspectives…it is a beautiful thing….we all see things differently…its bridging that which is huge…i like how they grow together in the end of this….
Bridging determines whether the relationship makes it or founders under the weight of differences. So right, Brian.
janet
The Beatles sang, “the love you take, should be equal to the love you make.” Opposites do attract, & there diametrically star-crossed perspectives to compliment each other post-accommodation, post-communication. Love defies simplicity as a coat of many colors. I really enjoyed your gentle treatise on the benefits of sharing, of fellowship, of inter-connectives, openness.
Great poem … seems like it can be considered timeless since it was a post from 2 years ago. 😊
At least good for a short time.
janet
Very well put. The combination of two people with differing strengths and weaknesses working together in love to better each other — that’s real love.
I think so, too, Justin. Thanks for stopping by and for your comment.
janet
This prompt was also before I took part in Friday Fictioneers. I like the progression of your poem, the opposing views before the two realize they have each other and thus a common purpose.
Thanks, Gabriella. I imagined them standing side-by-side in that seemingly desolate place and seeing two different things, yet loving each other well enough to take the commitment to make something work.
janet
Janet,
I love this, would like to read more from you, Andy
What a nice thing to say, Andy! Under categories on the left (a pull-down menu), there’s a poetry category which has poetry and haiku. I’d love to have you read it. I also have flash fiction, some of which is poetry, under “Friday Fictioneers.”
janet
My pleasure! Now I will go read more 🙂