PROMPT #234 – MOTIVATION: AMBITION

Strive to climb higher and go farther!

We all have an idea where we’d like to be in this life. But how badly do we want to get there? Do you have the ambition to achieve that which you desire? Ambition is a great motivator, but does it come at a cost? Does it tread on the toes of another to get what we want? If we can gain a better place and in the process, lift others up (instead of dumbing everyone down), we can indeed climb higher, go farther, all for the betterment of the human condition. Get fired up, stoke your ambition, and write your poems on how you believe your ambition motivates you!

“BRIGHT AS DAY”

It’s the meaning of her name,
and I claim there is something to it,
as in days of old testament.

But multiple impediments seized her
mind

energy

sight

voice.

Her very soul.

The whole of her,
splintered.

The light of her,
wintered.

But her God is not flawed,
nor silenced.
As her spirit returns
and yearns to be,
I see her flame ignite,
and hope shines
Bright as Day.

BLIND AMBITION

Call it obsession; compulsion,
a drive that keeps me alive to do what it is
I am meant to do. What I am bound to.
I’ve wanted for so long to belong
to a group of like minded minions
expressing the things that live within us.
Nothing and no one can take that away.
Not a soul can control what I am to do!
There is no obstacle that can stand in
my path paved in my intentions.
Blindly committed to my ambition,
a condition to my compulsion,
my obsession. No roadblock to my success.

Responses

William Preston

February 10, 2019 at 7:57 am

THE GREAT TASK

O’Shaughnessy had an ambition
that some folks would term a life’s mission:
to become a great priest
so he could, at the least,
save his drunken old pals from perdition.

Marie Elena

February 10, 2019 at 8:02 am

Perfectly written and perfectly fun! 😀
1. Daniel Paicopulos
  
  February 10, 2019 at 9:34 am
  
  And Perfectly Bill
  1. Marie Elena
    
    February 10, 2019 at 5:06 pm
    
    You know it!
Candy

February 10, 2019 at 4:47 pm

One must has a mission 😅
Walter J Wojtanik

February 10, 2019 at 6:12 pm

I’ll drink to that Bill! (I don’t really drink) A bit tongue in cheek. But I like it.
purplepeninportland

February 13, 2019 at 3:52 pm

I am chuckling, William.

drnurit

February 10, 2019 at 8:43 am

Beautiful interpretations of “Ambiton”!

Marie Elena

February 10, 2019 at 5:08 pm

Thank you, Nurit. ❤
1. purplepeninportland
  
  February 13, 2019 at 3:53 pm
  
  What a heartfelt, stunning poem, Marie.
  1. Marie Elena
    
    February 13, 2019 at 6:59 pm
    
    Thank you so much!
Walter J Wojtanik

February 11, 2019 at 7:11 am

High praise coming from you, Nurit!

Daniel Paicopulos

February 10, 2019 at 9:38 am

I usually arise in awe, especially on a Sunday, but Walt and Marie, today I awake in astonishment of how your lifeblood flows from your pens. What a lovely morning gift your two poems are.

Candy

February 10, 2019 at 4:43 pm

I second this sentiment
Marie Elena

February 10, 2019 at 5:08 pm

Wow. Thank you. Both of you.
Walter J Wojtanik

February 10, 2019 at 6:14 pm

Just a sharing of that which we all we as poets have been blessed, Daniel! Very happy that we can give back to all you give us!

Daniel Paicopulos

February 10, 2019 at 9:43 am

From the very first Poetic Bloomings prompt, and from the sensitive work of Marie Elena Good, entitled “Of Dandelions and Manicures””

“One scatters dandelion seeds,
Who understands a daydream’s needs.”

MEG

I think of her often,
living in a smallish place,
a friend to so many,
living vastly flung.
I choose to think of her
with a broad smile,
sometimes a loud laugh,
at all times huggable.
I never consider
the possibility of frowns
or headaches,
or any other form of discontent.
It’s my daydream,
and I’ll have in it what I want.

Also from the initial Poetic Bloomings prompt, and from the passionate work of Walt Wojtanik, entitled “A Touch”:

“It is desire of the highest power.
It has been left to burn unattended”

Maestro

There can be no turning back,
bridges blown asunder,
boats all sunk,
there is only forward in our plans.
It is not that we are brave,
simply that there is no choice,
courage not at issue,
as the fire rages at our backs.
We can cure the ills of the world.
We can.
We will.
We must

Marie Elena

February 10, 2019 at 5:09 pm

These are both beautiful and humbling and prat of why I love you and your words. Thank you, dear friend.
1. Walter J Wojtanik
  
  February 10, 2019 at 6:18 pm
  
  I love you too, and I mean that in the truest sense. Friends, sisters and brothers all and we share in every familial way, never having met. Thank you, Daniel.
  1. Marie Elena
    
    February 11, 2019 at 8:50 am
    
    Hear, hear!
William Preston

February 10, 2019 at 11:51 pm

These words are heartfelt, palpably so
purplepeninportland

February 13, 2019 at 3:55 pm

I applaud, and agree with you.

RJ Clarken

February 10, 2019 at 10:40 am

Eyes on the Masters

“The Artist always has the masters in his eyes.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

If I could but learn to incorporate
a soupçon of what the masters can do,
if I could have a fragment of their view,
I’d own my world, and not impersonate
(what I feel is, at least, to a degree
the greatness of others who aren’t me.)
They inform, inspire and help me create
my art and words I hope will resonate.
Originality is a strange song
where answers aren’t only right or wrong.
To not grow means a risk to just stagnate
and that’s something I can’t let come to pass
which tells me I’ve need of a master class.
So, Ambition, I’m here now. Time won’t wait.

###

RJ Clarken

February 10, 2019 at 10:43 am

This form is called the Mabini Sonnet. I never tried it before, so perhaps it was an ambitious attempt…
1. Marie Elena
  
  February 12, 2019 at 7:48 am
  
  I need to look up this form and give it a go. EXCELLENT work, RJ! So good to have you in our midst … a total master in my way of thinking. ❤ I'm sorry we missed your piece. Not sure why it went to the moderation folder, when you have been here before. It's not "set" to do that.
  1. RJ Clarken
    
    February 12, 2019 at 3:49 pm
    
    Thank you so much!
William Preston

February 12, 2019 at 10:18 am

I’ve never heard of this form of sonnet, but I like it, and how you did it. In my opinion, you could teach a master class.
1. RJ Clarken
  
  February 12, 2019 at 3:48 pm
  
  Thanks! (Blush!Blush!)
Walter J Wojtanik

February 12, 2019 at 12:40 pm

Ambitious, yes! Masterful? Indeed. I expect nothing less and am never disappointed! Anyone who rejoined after the reboot was treated like a new entry, so the first poem went into moderation. They shouldn’t get lost after this one. How about some particulars on the form, Randi? I can see it in our future!
1. RJ Clarken
  
  February 12, 2019 at 3:48 pm
  
  I found it on The Poets’ Garret (http://www.thepoetsgarret.com), a favorite site of mine for poetic forms. Terry Clitheroe is the owner/moderator and he’s brilliant!
  
  Anyway, here’s his info on how to write this sonnet:
  
  Mabini Sonnet
  
  This is one of the sonnet forms devised by Jose Rizal M. Reyes of the Philippines and it is celebrating Apolinario Mabini y Maranan (July 23 1864 – May 13 1903 who was a Filipino political philosopher and revolutionary who wrote a constitutional plan for the First Philippine Republic, and served as its first prime minister until May 1899.
  
  The form consists of two, two, three line stanzas and joined by a couplet common to the first two stanza lines and then the last line of the second two stanzas.
  a. b. b. a. c. c… a. a… d. d. a. e. e. a.
  1. Walter J. Wojtanik
    
    February 12, 2019 at 8:54 pm
    
    Thanks, Randi. Can’t wait to work with it!
  2. Marie Elena
    
    February 12, 2019 at 9:30 pm
    
    Thanks RJ!
purplepeninportland

February 13, 2019 at 3:57 pm

“Originality is a strange song “

Love that line, RJ.

Darlene Franklin

February 10, 2019 at 11:56 am

I won’t go gently into that good night
Not when I’ve much work to do
Words pushing to be born new

Marie Elena

February 10, 2019 at 5:10 pm

Great play off of known-and-loved words.
Poetic Bloomings

February 10, 2019 at 6:22 pm

Great interpretation of ambition, Darlene! Ever onwards, always upward!
William Preston

February 10, 2019 at 11:50 pm

Big smile here

Darlene Franklin

February 10, 2019 at 12:02 pm

My goal: to finish life with flair
To fight for every word and piece
To share myself with family
Until I have no more to spare
And I can quit my work with peace
My words will make a tapestry
But always I have more to say
Yes, even on my dying day
I’d better choose another dare
To live each moment of each day
To let my lips my love declare
To hear God’s voice and to obey
To give myself and always share
So when my time comes, I’m okay

Candy

February 10, 2019 at 4:46 pm

Lovely, Darlene!
1. William Preston
  
  February 10, 2019 at 11:49 pm
  
  Yes
Marie Elena

February 10, 2019 at 5:11 pm

The flow and sentiment of this touch me, Darlene.
Poetic Bloomings

February 10, 2019 at 6:23 pm

We pray your silence is a long time coming, Darlen. A loving poem. Thank you.

William Preston

February 10, 2019 at 1:38 pm

Marie, your magnificent poem made me pause, and also look up the name. I have a friend named Dana, and much of what you wrote, fits her. Wonderful piece.

Marie Elena

February 10, 2019 at 5:13 pm

Thank you so much, Bill. My daughter is actually Deanna, which, when I found it years ago, was said to mean “Bright as Day.” Very close to Dana, for sure.

William Preston

February 10, 2019 at 1:54 pm

Wonderful poem, Walt, from one of those like-minded minions.

Marie Elena

February 10, 2019 at 5:14 pm

Indeed you are!
Poetic Bloomings

February 10, 2019 at 6:28 pm

Glad to march the minion march with you, William. As the saying goes, “do not walk behind me, I may not lead. Do not walk before me, I may not follow. Walk beside me and be my friend. We will all arrive together.

Darlene Franklin

February 10, 2019 at 2:06 pm

I see my poems ended up as replies instead of comments. So if you hunt for them you’ll find them, lol.

Earl Parsons

February 10, 2019 at 3:45 pm

Mountains and Valleys

The terrain of my life for as far as I can see
So many ups and downs wait out in front of me
Some hills and dips that will be easy to navigate
It’s the mountains and valleys that cause me to hesitate
Oh, I could take the easy way
Put things off for another day
But what, then, would my spirit say?

So often the mountaintop is out of my view
Fog laden
Snow covered
Oxygen deprived
Seemingly impossible

Yet I start my climb with intent and fire
Treasures at the top feed my heart’s desire
Though I might not realize the ultimate goal
The drive that I feel comes from deep in my soul
I’m prepared for every climb
I just hope I have the time
I will, if it’s in God’s design

But there’s a disappointment at the mountaintop
No more up
One way down
Valley waits below
How deep will I fall?

So many that I’ve known let their valleys win
They gave up or gave in to the offer of the valley’s sin
Even knowing the next mountaintop might be their best
They chose not to make the climb and wallow with the rest
The valleys will not defeat me
The mountaintops I must see
Even if the climb kills me

Candy

February 10, 2019 at 4:48 pm

Keep climbing, Earl!
Marie Elena

February 10, 2019 at 5:16 pm

Deep thoughts, creatively expressed in mountaintop and valley. Well penned!
1. William Preston
  
  February 10, 2019 at 11:48 pm
  
  Indeed so
Poetic Bloomings

February 10, 2019 at 6:55 pm

As I’ve said earlier, Earl. Ever upwards. You appear to be following the right path. It will get you to the peak. Love this piece.

Candy

February 10, 2019 at 4:42 pm

A Different Ambition

Ambition is a tricky thing –
Arm outstretched with golden ring

A prize for you to reach, to catch
Then suddenly you find it’s snatched

Away and you are left to try
For other diamonds in the sky

And of those diamonds that I see
I choose the ones that best suit me

Some kindness and tranquility
A garden plot, a cup of tea

Marie Elena

February 10, 2019 at 5:17 pm

Beautiful. And there is, again, your piece of peace. ❤
1. Candy
  
  February 10, 2019 at 7:17 pm
  
  Thanks, Marie. 😊
Poetic Bloomings

February 10, 2019 at 7:18 pm

Your poetry has taken on a whole new dimension which is quite impressive, Candace. Another superb piece.
1. Candy
  
  February 10, 2019 at 11:40 pm
  
  Thanks so much 😌
William Preston

February 10, 2019 at 11:45 pm

Wonderful
purplepeninportland

February 13, 2019 at 4:00 pm

Love this restfulness in this poem.

An Act Of Sabotage | purplepeninportland

February 10, 2019 at 7:58 pm

[…] https://poeticbloomings2.wordpress.com/2019/02/10/prompt-234-motivation-ambition/#comments […]

purplepeninportland

February 10, 2019 at 7:59 pm

An Act of Sabotage

Ambition–
mine is sabotaged
by myself.
Why is that
do you suppose? Frightened of
failure or success?

William Preston

February 10, 2019 at 11:47 pm

The introspection is personal, but the poetry looks successful to me.
1. purplepeninportland
  
  February 13, 2019 at 4:02 pm
  
  Thanks, William.
Walter J Wojtanik

February 11, 2019 at 11:06 am

I had been there at one time, Sara. It was debilitating and restrictive. Can you imagine my thoughts, my words, my songs and poem locked in a file cabinet for my eyes only? Silly, but it was true. Sucking up “courage” is submitted a poem to a Poem-A-Day challenge, and after three day was prepared to declare myself a non-poet. Thanks to the encouragement of a lady from Maumee, Ohio, I stayed the course. And here I am. And so are you. Fear of failure is striving for success. Fear of success is self-denial, and we all know better than that. If all that know your poetic magnificence are the few at these poetry sites we frequent, then you are well received and successful. None of us are getting rich on our words. But we are being enriched by each others words. Stay the course.
1. Marie Elena
  
  February 12, 2019 at 7:50 am
  
  Hugs, hugs, hugs. And that road went (and continues to go) both ways, my Pard.
  
  Sara, your voice never disappoints.
  1. purplepeninportland
    
    February 13, 2019 at 4:04 pm
    
    That’s a lovely thing to say, Marie. Thank you.
    1. Marie Elena
      
      February 13, 2019 at 6:59 pm
      
      You’re welcome!
2. purplepeninportland
  
  February 13, 2019 at 4:03 pm
  
  Thanks so much, Walt. I appreciate this.

William Preston

February 10, 2019 at 11:44 pm

DIRT ROADS

The drive
toward success
is hardly ever smooth,
but fresh tires help drivers survive
duress.

Marie Elena

February 12, 2019 at 7:51 am

Clever truth!

Marie Elena

February 12, 2019 at 7:52 am

Hi all! RJ’s poem got caught in our moderation folder, for some unexplained reason. It is above, and worth scrolling up to read. RJ is a total master of poetry, IMHO.

William Preston

February 12, 2019 at 10:19 am

Yes, indeed.

Connie Peters

February 12, 2019 at 12:17 pm

Ambition

I aim to do good and do it well.
But things aren’t clear as a bell
My goal’s to excel
And not fail
How?

Lord, I need ambition to propel
Something in me to compel
My goal’s to excel
And not fail
Now

So let Your Holy Spirit indwell
And help me not to rebel
My goal’s to excel
And not fail
Wow!

Marie Elena

February 12, 2019 at 7:19 pm

Wow, indeed! And phew! And amen! 😀
Walter J. Wojtanik

February 12, 2019 at 8:56 pm

Good use of the form, Connie. And you did do it well! Wow indeed.
William Preston

February 13, 2019 at 4:34 am

This form is not so simpole as it looks. Excellent execution. in my opinion
1. William Preston
  
  February 13, 2019 at 4:35 am
  
  Well, spelling should be simpoler than that.
  1. Connie L Peters
    
    February 13, 2019 at 12:31 pm
    
    lol
Connie L Peters

February 13, 2019 at 12:32 pm

Thanks, all!

Walter J. Wojtanik

February 14, 2019 at 4:22 pm

“Bright as Day” truly inspires and touches something inside. The brilliance of that day lives within you, Marie, and I am glad we’ve found each other’s words at the exact right moment in time. Thank you for all you do!