Somewhere Along Road 8W

By Bryan W. Myskiw

my life is not the story of my accomplishments
nor the definition of my failings
it is the tale of my lessons learned

Bryan Myskiw believes that in our own time, we all have opportunities to grow, create, learn, and find our own place in the world—just as he did.

At its heart, his first collection of poetry reflects on the creation of an artist and his journey to discover his voice. As he leads others down a lyrical road into his past and present, Myskiw explores the beauty surrounding nature, the unbreakable bond that accompanies unconditional love, the heartbreak of loss, and the development of his artistic talents as he matures into the man he is today. Included are original drawings that invite others into his creative vision as he vividly portrays every experience that has touched his life to date.

Somewhere Along Road 8W is a compilation of poems and original illustrations that reflects on a Canadian artist’s journey through life as he contemplates all that he is and all he intends to become.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Dec 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781480887855

Bryan W. Myskiw

Bryan W. Myskiw grew up on a family farm in the Canadian prairie. Since then, he has become a teacher, a traveller, and a creator for stage, radio, and screen. Today, Bryan resides in Warren, Manitoba. This is his first book of poems.

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Copyright © 2020 Bryan W. Myskiw.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Some names, identifying details and likenesses have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Archway Publishing

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.archwaypublishing.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

All images and artwork, and Cover Art by Bryan W. Myskiw except for Author Graphic by Chelsey Frank.

ISBN: 978-1-4808-8784-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-8783-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-8785-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020902372

Archway Publishing rev. date: 10/19/2020

for grampa

forever in the field of stars

contents

notes from road 8w

notes from 18th st.

notes from oak bay

notes from gladstone ave.

notes from bloor and bay

to the reader:

somewhere along road 8w

and somewhere along in time

the hes and shes lost meaning

names became nameless

as faces faded

more important were the feelings felt

the loves became loses

the friends became foes

the secrets became stories

that yearn to be told

notes from road 8w

section18w.jpg

my journey has begun

my journey will end

you will find me

forever

road 8 west

8w1.jpg

my life is not the story of my accomplishments

nor the definition of my failings

it is the tale of my lessons learned

road 8 west is silent

and dusty and bare

dirt    horizon    sky

road 8 west    i hear    i think

cries of unhappiness and scolding

a child shamed

cut down from his cloud

a quest for love begins

where do you run

to find comfort

he searches

the sky    space

the ground    support

a reason to live

grateful for gifts he has been sent

8w2.jpg

not all flowers bloom in the spring

yet they still want a chance to share their beauty

8w3.jpg

i walk by the full-headed wheat in the field

does it dread the impending winter

does it urgently desire the stillness of time

does it sense its coming fate

8w4.jpg

we rise from the ground we are laid upon

we fall to the ground in prayer

o earth

give me your

timeless strength

simple nourishment

constancy

and i will rise

a fighter

a giver

a lover

anew

8w5.jpg

i went out tonight

to a familiar scene

the endless sky melting

bending of hues

the sound in