Laura

Steampunk Queen

This is a submission for Kevin’s No Theme Thursday.

Image by Kevin from The Beginning at Last

Studded boots, among realms of brass

Upon a golden throne, sits a fiery lass

With cogs and clocks that intertwine

Of leather and lace her world divine

Among goggles placed atop her crown

She gazes outside with a weary frown

Dimension of gears, machines, and steam

Time-travelers paradise in Victorian dreams

Image by Kevin from The Beginning at Last

Down below her castle, the world turns

Work never stops, midnight candle burns

Years go by, lost in the blink of an eye

She gazes upward for a place in the sky

For another realm she longs to roam

A different place she would feel at home

To finally abdicate her lonely throne

Dreams of the life she calls her own

Image by Kevin from The Beginning at Last

She’s done her duty, waiting thus far

Stepping aboard a time traveling car

Even though fate’s unknown is dread

Never looking back, she faces ahead

And as her story now comes to a close

What do you find in this riddling prose?

“Why give up her crown?” you may ask

Not all real queens are up to hard tasks

A life of adventure, better than any crown

To pursue her dreams, or in sadness she drowns

Always wondering what could have been

She forges ahead fearlessly, her new life to begin

©️ Laura Bennett

What’s the lesson in this story? You can have it all, but still want more? I suppose you could see it that way. The message I’m trying to send, however – is that even in all great things, with appearances on the outside, if inside we aren’t truly happy and if we aren’t doing it for ourselves, we’ll always feel like we missed out on a part of something important in life.

A lot of times it’s hard to take that chance.

Hey, look! I finally finished, added to, and purged a draft! 😆

Oh, and don’t get it twisted. Caffeine Queen isn’t giving up her crown 😇 have a lovely day, all! ☕️ 👑

94 comments

  7. these images by Kevin are amazing.

    and yes, it’s really important to have a sense of peace in ourselves that align with our appearance. it’s rough to live with your feelings masked.

    hope the friday is going well for y’all! Mike

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    • Kevin never fails to amaze me with his creative ability, thanks for saying so too. 😊

      I agree. I think we can play our part, our duties and obligations for so long, but then we also must live out parts of our life that are strictly “for us”

      That hard part is finding out what the “for us” is at times 😀

      Hope your Friday is going well too! And a great weekend your way, as well 🙏

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    • Thanks so much Alice! I kinda feel like I’m breaking the “rules” for the “no rules” challenge sometimes by using other images haha, but then some of them just go too well together! 🙏 so glad you liked it 😊

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  11. I will admit I was thrown off for a second, because I forgot about those other pictures. I was like, I didnt post those, did I? 😆

    Maybe my clutch is slipping 😜

    An excellent poem, and great message. True happiness can be an elusive thing, and we sometimes end up down rabbit holes chasing it, especially if it’s in a misguided attempt to please others. We often forget that pleasing ourselves is a valid state.

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    • I think I’ve had this draft since…August? The first steampunk pic is from then, but it wasn’t from an NTT, it was from a random steampunk post you did and I swiped it 🤪 The second picture is from an NTT a little more recent though.

      Don’t put those thoughts out there 😜 your words have power, especially your words. Negate, and only for good. Amen! lol 😆

      I’m glad you enjoyed the message 🤗 I greatly enjoyed your artistry, as usual 🥰 😍

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    • Thank you so much, Michele 😊 I’m really glad you liked it 🙏 I started this draft months ago and then just finished the ending yesterday. Interesting how sometimes the story works out 💕 always appreciate you and your kind comments! 🥰

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      • Interesting, yes! I was thinking the same thing before I reached that point in your response. I am forever fascinated by the process – some things show up fast and furious and other pieces pour out like molasses and don’t get me started on how the words arrange and structure themselves! 😄 It’s all a wonderful discovery and beautiful outlet. You’re very welcome and thank you so much! 😊💕

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      • The rearranging drives me nuts too! 🤣 What fits better where? 🤔 Oddly enough this story was unfinished until I saw the final image which complimented it perfectly, too. Sometimes it’s just timing it seems! 💕 🙏

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      • It can yes, and sometimes the words arrange themselves in an almost magical fashion. ✨ Timing, yes! I’ve carried thoughts or ideas for many months (or years) to just have them come together in surprising ways. ✍🏻🤔✨ Thanks for the great exchange, Laura. 💕

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  18. Fantastic, Laura! Great imagery, a lovely combo of rhythm and rhyme, and a good message about contentedness.

    It kinda reminds me of Frozen II, the song “Into the Unknown,” and its lyrics at the beginning: “I’ve had my adventure, I don’t need something new / I’m afraid of what I’m risking if I follow you” only for the song to continue and then end with these lyrics: “Where are you going? Don’t leave me alone / How do I follow you / Into the unknown?”

    I know there are a lot of critiques about Frozen II, and I admit that a bunch of them make valid points, but I still enjoyed watching it, and moreover, I freaking love the songs from it soooo much – I regularly listen to the album. “Into the Unknown” is one of my absolute favourites from that album. (I also love “All Is Found” and “Show Yourself”; also, “The Next Right Thing” made me cry soooo hard.)

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    • Thank you Nicole 😊 I don’t think I’ve ever seen Frozen II! But that’s so interesting and very apt comparison as well. The songs from the movie sound great! 😊 and hey, you like what you like, you know? If you enjoy it, that’s all that matters 🙏

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      • You don’t technically have to watch the movie to listen to the songs… 😉 Although, context does give them meaning… I’d definitely recommend listening to “Into the Unknown” though. You could even listen to the Panic! At The Disco’s official cover of it (included on the Disney album).

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  21. Wonderful poem Laura, I review poetry past and present on my own page.

    I hope you don’t mind, but I did that for this poem. I’ve shared the link below. If you have any issues, I’ll immediately take it down.

    Congrats, on your success to date, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of your work.

    You may find the link to the review here.

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  25. Kudos to you for creating a gem out of a post that was stuck in your drafts. You made a very valid point. When we pursue something motivated by a sense of duty or responsibility rather than happiness, there’s so much we stand to lose. Sometimes we have to cut ourselves loose to pursue true happiness. And yes, appearances can be quite deceiving indeed. But we can’t keep deceiving ourselves forever! Great take, Laura! 😊

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  27. And what a draft you finished!! This is one that I read when you posted but in grogginess meant to come right back to and didn’t until now. ❤ Ambitious, include-everything posts like this are such a great feeling. And a strong message, to boot.

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