Imagined

[Dave]

Birches I know.
The childlike blossoms
and incidental grasses
like so much life
along this finite path
remain mere shadows

when so often
distracted by imagination
I choose to wander
coastlines and cliffs
a single light step
from an ocean of mirrors.

[Mark]

I do like S2 a lot - S1 seemed a little complex - well written for sure but S2 has a marvelous landing. Enjoyable read.

[Colm Roe]

I agree with Mark, a little more clarity in S1 is required and it'll be sorted.
Very nice read.

[Dave]

Thanks Mark and Colm i understand the problem just not the answer.Will give it a try.

[indar]

Guess I'll be the lone appreciator of the first S. (so far). I know birches and grasses--they don't grow by coastlines--at least not on the west coast of the US. But I'm originally from a land of white birch and tender grass and they will always be with me in my heart. Lovely poem Dave.

[Dave]

Thanks indar. To be fair to the others but as i am posting from holiday on my phone i changed the poem already to clarify. Glad you can get something from it

[lshmael]

I like the whole poem, as well as the first stanza. Although perhaps you could swap finite for something else? I am interested to read your edit.

I would change it something like this

along a settled path
remain as shadows

along a concluded path
remain mere shadows

Nice work. Mirrors and the sea are some of my favourite metaphors, and they are used with a very pleasing brevity here.