The Farthest Shore (A Poem About a Long Distance Love Affair)

John has been writing poetry since his school days. He was awarded "Poet of the Year 2014" Hubby Awards and has had two poems become songs.

Long Distance Relationships

In today's Internet age so many methods of communication are available to us. Thanks to email, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, Instant Messaging programs, Skype, Facetime etc we can talk to others anywhere in the world in minutes or real time.

These amazing new technologies have taken over from letters and phone calls to keep in touch, and have made it much easier to carry on long distance relationships with people in other cities, states, and even countries.

Long distance love however isn't a new phenomenon however, as people from different countries and cultures have been meeting and falling in love since the beginning of time. It just became much easier in the 20th and 21st Centuries.

This poem explores one such relationship in an earlier period of time.

Please watch and listen to this hauntingly beautiful video

Arrival of the First Fleet

1 / 3

The Farthest Shore

by John Hansen © 2016

I dream of you across the sea

Where you reside once more,

I'm sending all my love to you

There, on the farthest shore.

♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥

Your almond eyes entrapped me,

Long hair of shining black,

Once I'd held you in my arms

There was no turning back.

♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥

Each day we spent together,

Abandoned souls in lust,

Sharing fun and laughter,

And an ever growing trust.

♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥

Unfortunately time moves on

And weeks turned into days.

When sobbing you revealed to me

That you had to go away.

♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥

You packed your few belongings,

As a ship set sail that day

Back to your friends and family

In a land so far away.

♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥

I wrote you letters every week,

My pen professed my love.

I promised we would meet again,

With the will of God above.

♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥

True love endures all hardship,

Through time and distance too.

No sea or ocean is too wide

To keep my love from you.

♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥ ≈ ♥

One day soon I will travel

To be with you once more.

I'll stowaway on a sailing ship

And reach the farthest shore.

Continuing Inspiration 2016

Every hub I have written so far in 2016 has been based on book titles by sci fi/fantasy author Ursula Le Guin. So far I have written every one in the order the books are listed in the front of the book Changing Planes. Four of these hubs have been poems, one an article about the Aboriginal Dreamtime, and one a short story.

I don't know if I will succeed in creating hubs from the entire list of books but so far so good.

This poem is inspired by the sixth of those books The Farthest Shore (The Earthsea Cycle Book 3). I hope you enjoyed it.

© 2016 John Hansen

Comments

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 15, 2018:

Robin, thank you for such a wonderful comment. I am glad you enjoyed my words.

Robin Carretti from Hightstown on February 15, 2018:

So stylishly lovely your words were love refreshing every line so divine

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on June 18, 2016:

Glad it was a good way to finish your day. Sleep well, Siddharth.

Siddharth Kapoor on June 17, 2016:

John, that's it for today. I end my day with your remarkable poem. Good man!!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on May 14, 2016:

Thank you for that lovely comment , Sherry. I am a bit of a romantic myself. Glad you enjoyed this poem, and yes that music video is something special isn't it?

drbj and sherry from south Florida on May 14, 2016:

John, The Farthest Shore was one of the most beautiful poems I have read in a long time. I especially liked the video with the music. I am a true romantic!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 13, 2016:

Thank you for the great comment Besarien. I have just started reading The Earthsea Trilogy and The Left Hand of Darkness is the next title I have to use to write a hub from. Ursula K Le Guin has been a great inspiration for my hubs so far. I am glad my poem succeeded in capturing those emotions.

Besarien from South Florida on February 12, 2016:

I love Ursula K. The Earthsea Trilogy was my Harry Potter as a kid. The Left Hand of Darkness is one of my favorite novels in any genre. She is such a good inspiration! This hub is brilliant. It definitely captures the commitment and the longing of a lover separated from his one and only. I enjoyed your poem the most particularly the progression from lust to a love that spans time and distance.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 11, 2016:

Haha Lawrence, good for her.

Lawrence Hebb from Hamilton, New Zealand on February 11, 2016:

We often joke that she went on her big O.E and brought me back!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 11, 2016:

Wow! Lawrence that would have been a storybook romance..all across Europe. I have never even been to Europe. Thanks for the great comment.

Lawrence Hebb from Hamilton, New Zealand on February 11, 2016:

John

Really enjoyed this. It reminded me of when I met my wife. We had a week together in Germany, then we both had to return to our work (for the same organization) she was in Hungary and I was in Sweden! Needless to say our times together included some of the best cities in Europe!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 09, 2016:

Hi Ann. The hubs based on one author's book titles is going better than I expected but their are a few coming up that are going to be challenging. I don't know if I will succeed in covering all on the list. I hope I can as my personal goal. Glad you enjoyed this poem "The Farthest Shore." We are well, and I wish the same to you.

Ann Carr from SW England on February 09, 2016:

This really tugs at the heart strings, John. It's always hard to be apart from a loved one but that sort of distance must have been a killer in those days.

You're doing a great job of basing hubs on one author's titles; you have lots of good ideas for inspiring others so it doesn't come as a surprise!

Looking forward to more of these.

Hope all's well with you and yours. Have a great Wednesday!

Ann

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 04, 2016:

Vellur, thanks for reading another of my hubs. It is always good to see your name in comments.

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on February 04, 2016:

Beautifully expressed, enjoyed reading.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 02, 2016:

Savvy, thank you for reading, and confirming that the sentiments I wanted to portray actually came through. Sometimes things work in your own head but you can only hope the readers feel that too. Take care.

Yves on February 02, 2016:

It would be dreadful to have to tear yourself away from someone you love, knowing that it could be months before you meet again. This sentiment, as well as the passion of new love, came through loud and clear in this very romantic and sensual poem. (Sigh)

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on February 01, 2016:

Thank you for sharing that link Missy. I read it and really hope they raise enough to complete this film on Le Guin's life. It would be a remarkable story.

Missy Smith from Florida on February 01, 2016:

Hey Jodah, I found this just now scrolling my feed on Facebook. I thought you might be interested in it. Your author Ursula K Le Guin, is an intriguing person, just hearing how she got started makes me hope this film about her gets all the money it needs for production. It will be a good one!

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/feb/01/ursul...

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 31, 2016:

Thank you for reading Shauna. No, in fact I have only read two of her books. It was just the list of titles in the front of one that caught my I and I have used as inspiration. She is a big name in sci fi/fantasy. I think her Earthsea trilogy is her most famous perhaps.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on January 31, 2016:

Your poem is beautiful, John. The video you chose is very soothing. Can long distance relationships last?I suppose they can if the love is real. I think of our soldiers who are so far from home for long periods of time. Love gives them hope and keeps them close to the heart.

Just curious, have you read all of Ursula LeQuin's books? I've never heard of her, but then I'm not a sci/fi fan...

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 31, 2016:

Thanks for the kind words and for sharing that James, sorry to bring back unpleasant memories.

Tijani Achamlal from Morocco on January 31, 2016:

Beautiful poem.It rekindles old flames .I once had that kind of relationship.It was unsuccessful.I got hurt deeply and it took me years to get over it.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 31, 2016:

Hey Ed, thanks for the great compliment. Glad I could provide a new idea for poetry inspiration, but I would never for one moment call your poetry useless.

ahorseback on January 31, 2016:

Awesome poem and great idea Jodah ! Just when I think about my useless poetry and lack of idea's you show a new idea and inspiration for poetry.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 30, 2016:

Thank you Phyllis. I just had to include that music video, I loved it and thought it fit this poem really well.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 30, 2016:

Hello Faith. Your courtship with your husband in the Air Force was the perfect example of a long distance relationship that worked. How romantic. Haha, you setting a wedding date stressed him out so much he failed an easy test :) Lucky he passed in time for the wedding. Thanks for reading.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 30, 2016:

Thank you Audrey. I'd like to think that Ursula Le Guin would take this as a compliment. I hope I can continue to write hubs from most of her other titles.

Phyllis Doyle Burns from High desert of Nevada. on January 30, 2016:

Hi Jodah. Hauntingly beautiful music, yes. I am still listening to it. It goes very well with your beautiful romantic poem.

Shared and pinned.

Faith Reaper from southern USA on January 30, 2016:

Oh, John, I love your romantic poem! That is so interesting your inspiration has come from author Ursula Le Guin.

I must catch up on your hubs for this year, no doubt ...

I remember when my soon to be husband went off and joined the Air Force, and I wrote to him every single day he was in basic training and tech school, and sent photos. There was no Internet or anything back in the day. His buddies were so jealous LOL ... That was back in the day when we wore cut-off jeans and tank tops. I put a dab of perfume on the letter too. He kept every letter. Then I went and stressed him out by setting the wedding date. He had to take one final test, and it was an easy one, and he failed! He had to pass it before he could leave tech school. He did and was on time for the wedding LOL.

Blessings always

Audrey Howitt from California on January 30, 2016:

I love Le Guin--and she would be pleased I think--good luck on your project!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 30, 2016:

Thank you for the kind comment and share Shyron, there always has to be a thread of hope doesn't there?

Shyron E Shenko from Texas on January 30, 2016:

John, this is haunting and beautiful and your poetry goes with every word, it tell of love almost lost but with a tiny thread of hope.

Sharing the with my friends on followers and on FB.

Blessings my friend

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 30, 2016:

You said it Deb' happiness is what matters above all else. Thanks for reading.

Deb Hirt from Stillwater, OK on January 30, 2016:

It is becoming more common for sure to have these long distance trysts. Some will make it, some won't, but as long as everyone is happy, that's all that matters.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 30, 2016:

Thank you for that lovely comment Genna. Inspiration is a funny thing and you are often surprised where it comes from. Yes, true love can overcome all obstacles.

Genna East from Massachusetts, USA on January 30, 2016:

Oh, John, this is beautiful poetry; your inspiration for this series is fascinating. Distance and time can never alter a love that is true and deep, and never leaves the heart. It awakens the meaning of who we are, and makes all things possible.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 29, 2016:

@ Larry. Thank you as always for reading my hubs and your encouragement.

@ Missy, I need to thank Ursula too. I don't think I have found a better source of inspiration before. I must tell you that I have only ever read two of her books though, these hubs have only been inspired by her book titles. Still, she is a great writer and multi-award winner.

Missy Smith from Florida on January 29, 2016:

Lovely as ever, John. It seems I really need to check out Ursula's books. You have written some extremely nice hubs with her books serving as inspiration. I can't wait to read what's next. :)

Larry Rankin from Oklahoma on January 29, 2016:

Beautifully done.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 28, 2016:

Hey Surabhi, just visiting my romantic side for this one :) I am so glad to hear you love it, and I don't mind being your "star" either :) thank you for your kind words.

Surabhi Kaura on January 28, 2016:

Oh Jodah! What a romantic masterpiece here! I just love it. Brilliant. You rock!! You are my star.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 28, 2016:

Thank you for reading and commenting on this hub Caroline. I appreciate your generous words.

Caroline Marie on January 28, 2016:

Really romantic poetry. I love this. It is full of passion. The video and song are also amazing. :)

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 27, 2016:

What a lovely comment Paula. Yes, I let my romantic side show. Reading my poetry before going to bed to ensure sweet dreams...aw. Don't read "Stalked by Evil" :) though.

Suzie from Carson City on January 27, 2016:

Jodah......Soooo romantic. Such emotion. You're a wonderful poet. I like to read your work just before I go to bed....for sweet dreams! Paula

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 27, 2016:

Thank you for your generous comment deepali, it is good to hear from someone who can truly relate to the theme of my poem. you are so correct, you can certainly carry on where you left off, providing your love is strong and true.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 27, 2016:

Well, Jackie if I knew then what I know now I could have made this a challenge :)

I have an idea....see the list of book titles of Ursula Le Guin on this hub. I will be trying to write a hub from all of them. Why don't you look through them and see if there is a title that may suit your poem. If there is I may be able to issue a challenge to write a hub with that title, or list the lot and ask hubbers to choose any one as a title for a hub.

Deepali Awasare from Vadodara on January 27, 2016:

beautiful poem Jodah .... and the video too ...... i too believe that time is of no concern in true love ... you can carry on where you left if you have truly loved. i have endured separation from my soldier husband a few times but the heart has always grown fonder and i can totally relate to the letter writing and farewells at the train stations and airports ...

Jackie Lynnley from the beautiful south on January 27, 2016:

Well though you know how (well I do anyway) you write a poem and everyone thinks it is about you. I guess I can't blame them when some of my poetry is fact based but I have written so much by now if it all were true I would have no time to be hanging around here! lol

Maybe I will see what has been written and think about publishing it. Too bad you didn't make this a challenge, I could have just whipped it out like I just thought it up! hahaha

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 27, 2016:

Thank you Jackie. It seems to be a popular topic at the moment. I just read another poem today with the same theme and a number of hubs about online or long distance relationships. You should just publish yours. I really don't care what anyone thinks. If I like what I have written I will publish it...if I'm not happy I'll sit on it and make changes until I am. Anyway, I appreciate your reading and for the great comment.

Jackie Lynnley from the beautiful south on January 27, 2016:

This is so great! I have a poem written now for a couple of years on this subject I have not been brave enough to publish! It is nothing like what I write about but based on attractions one might have with someone online. lol I loved it it when I wrote it but now I read it through everyone else's eyes and not mine!

Well anyway, great poem! Love it!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 27, 2016:

Thank you Devika, you are always very kind with your comments.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on January 27, 2016:

Great stuff! I enjoyed reading the presentation is great.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 26, 2016:

You could be right Mike. The name rang a bell with me somewhere. When I saw the list of book titles I thought there were some among them that appealed to me as names for poems. I never imagined I would try to turn every one into a hub, but stranger in things have happened and I am pleased with the results so far.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 26, 2016:

Susie Jane, I have lost a love or two but sadly never found them again. It is based just on the title of the sixth book (part of a science fiction/fantasy trilogy "Earthsea") however I do seem to be able to put myself into the shoes of a character in my poems and actually feel the emotions they would be going through. Thanks for the kind comment.

mckbirdbks from Emerald Wells, Just off the crossroads,Texas on January 26, 2016:

You conveyed the feelings well. Seems to me there is another 'The Farthest Shore' title about the history of Australia as it were. What a treasure of writing inspiration to find a list of titles and letting your imagination run with it.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 26, 2016:

Yes Flourish, I can imagine how difficult it must have been to love someone far away. Glad this poem helped convey that.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 26, 2016:

Great to hear that you really enjoyed this one Frank. It means a lot.

Susie Jane from London on January 26, 2016:

What an excellent idea. I tell you something, this poem sounds so full of passion. Did you lose someone and find them again? Or was it solely based on the 6th book? Excellent poet.

FlourishAnyway from USA on January 26, 2016:

It sure is challenging to love someone who isn't physically with you. Your poem makes me imagine how difficult it was a century or more ago.

Frank Atanacio from Shelton on January 26, 2016:

Jodah.. this has to be one of my favorites of your poetry.. amazingly written my friend :)

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 26, 2016:

Thank you very much lietech. I appreciate that recommendation. Thank you also for following me.

Paul Levy from United Kingdom on January 26, 2016:

What a lovely poem. I'd urge anyone in any related situation to read this! Thanks for sharing

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 25, 2016:

Glad this moved you to tears of joy Eric, and brought back wonderful memories of your long distance relationship, poems and promises. You are a great example that long distance love can work wonderfully.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on January 25, 2016:

Has it been a decade and a half to when I left my beauty, my love in Saigon. We carried on so with email and long distance calls. A glorious year spent with long distance poetry and promises of being together. Now we laugh after 15 years of good marriage and a wonderful son and her citizenship in my land and my new family in hers.

This hit too close to home for me to pass by without tears of joy. Thank you my friend.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 25, 2016:

Yes Lori. That is an untimely story. I wrote the poem so that the reader could imagine any faraway places they wanted.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 25, 2016:

Thank you for reading this annasmom. True love can always overcome challenges. I agree it could be made into a story but I think there are many out there already with a similar theme.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 25, 2016:

Well said Swalia. "Nothing else matters." Thanks for reading and enjoying.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 25, 2016:

Anything is possible in love Dana. Thanks for your kind comment.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 25, 2016:

Thank you so much Venkat. That was my aim.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 25, 2016:

Thanks you Ruby. Yes it can happen very easily, as you found out with that surprise email. It used to happen to me all the time when I had a pic of a younger me as my profile picture (I'm joking). Long term Internet relationships can certainly work but you have to be careful.

Lori Colbo from United States on January 25, 2016:

Lovely. Images came to my head about far away places where lovers might be. I love to hear stories of couples who were married after an across the sea courtship. Nice work, John.

annasmom on January 25, 2016:

Distance and time are challenges, but they both can be overcome. Yes, the woman in the photograph is beautiful. Seems like this poem could easily lend itself to a short story....

Shaloo Walia from India on January 25, 2016:

Beautiful poem! Long distance relationships are hard to maintain but with a love so strong as expressed in your poem, nothing else matters!

Dana Tate from LOS ANGELES on January 25, 2016:

I have never been in a long distance relationship but I know that it can work for many people. What you say is true- true love can conquer anything. Beautiful poem.

Venkatachari M from Hyderabad, India on January 25, 2016:

Very beautiful poetry. Appealing to the emotions.

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on January 25, 2016:

Beautiful poem. I can see how this could happen. You get close with other people and feel like you know them. I received an email from another hubber and me being the ' chicken ' I am, I refused. That's the main reason I changed my profile picture from a much younger woman to me as I look now. I also have heard about someone meeting on line and that person was interested in money. So be careful out there!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 25, 2016:

Thank you so much Chitrangada. I am glad that you can relate to what it is like in a long distance relationship. Yes commitment is very important.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on January 25, 2016:

Beautiful poem and oh so romantic!!

Long distance relationships need lot of commitment from both sides and I can relate to this and have experienced it.

Your creation is beautiful as always. Loved the pictures too.

Thank for sharing!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 25, 2016:

Hey Al, glad you approve. Thanks :)

Al Wordlaw from Chicago on January 25, 2016:

Hey Jodah, Beautiful lady, very romantic poem, I'd send for her right away!

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 25, 2016:

Yes Bill, my romantic side is at it again. Yes I agree it would be difficult to maintain a love affair with someone so far away, but some seem to manage. Thanks for always reading my work.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 25, 2016:

"Delta Dawn, see that flower you have one. Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?" I know it well. It was originally sung by an Australian called Helen Reddy. Glad you have met a new person Kim and can relate to this poem. Sorry that he is away on assignment though.

Blessings.

manatita44 from london on January 25, 2016:

Ha ha ha..she's been long gone! All is but a fleeting shadow... -Shakespeare

ocfireflies from North Carolina on January 25, 2016:

John,

What a grand way to find and then use as inspiration. Another lovely poem from you and one (fortunately?) I can relate as I have of recent met a new person who is very far away on a job assignment. Some days I am so happy and elated while others I wonder if I am sentenced to the life of "Delta Dawn." If you are not familiar with the song, it is about a woman who loses her mind because her "love" never returns. Smiles...

Blessings,

Kim

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on January 25, 2016:

Awww, your creative side, and romantic side, are showing again. How hard would that be, being in love with someone thousands of miles away? That, to me, would be hell-on-earth. :) Love your work, as always.

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 25, 2016:

A doctor...really? I'm feeling ill, do you want to refer me..haha?

manatita44 from london on January 25, 2016:

Chuckle, chuckle ...gets better. A Doctor. Now you're jealous, right?

John Hansen (author) from Queensland Australia on January 25, 2016:

Thank you for being the first to read this hub Manatita, and for your kind and encouraging words. Wow, lucky you having an encounter with such a beauty. Haha, maybe she is a writer too.

manatita44 from london on January 25, 2016:

She must be an inspired writer. Your picture is of captivating beauty, and I went out with a beauty like that once and yes, we met on the internet ....long, long ago, a chance encounter, I was't looking. But that's another story.

Like, you, I really didn't like the last two lines from that critique, but he is right about your poems. They are very beautiful and brilliant and you do rhyme well. Carry on, Bro!