A poem written by me and dedicated to all the amazing digital artists that reside within this great community, but more especially within the Lightwave gallery and forum. I just wanted to give yet another huge thanks to all of them for all their help they've given me over the past few years, for all their suggestions and support and encouragement. Sorry I couldn't stay on the same path as you guys, but don't worry, I'll drop by from time to time :) ---------------------------------------- I have tried over the years To recreate the world around me I have tried to create A 3D world to surround me In some respects I have succeeded In many I have failed Over time my train of passion Has become derailed I know I cannot finish What I set out to achieve It is not the way In which glory I will receive With my digital hands I cannot create The beauty of the world around me I could never recreate Sunrays bursting through the clouds Rain hammering the trees Their leaves whistling and fluttering In the gentle breeze With images I cannot show you The beauty of this land Not through my computer Nor with my unskilled hand But with words I could Perhaps paint a picture Of how much I marvel at this world Every plant, every creature So I must bid you farewell My friends of the digital kind I must find my own way To unleash my mind I know not What other words to say I wish I could remain one of you And forever here stay Alas I must walk another path But we will meet again Friendships that were once made Friendships they will remain ------------------------------------------- Finally two last big thanks go to two people who've followed my digital path from the start. The first is Eryk, also known as Calseeor, who was one of the very first people I met when I came here a couple years ago. He's been one of my most loyal 'fans' if you want to call it that, and I just wanted to say thanks for all the words of encouragement I've received from him over that time (he's a really awesome artist by the way, you should check his gallery out sometime!). And last but not least, my lovely lady Esme. She has ALWAYS been by my side in all the endless hours I have spent trying to learn all these graphics packages that could perhaps eventually act a gate through which I could channel my thoughts. She was and is always there with the best words at the tip of her tongue and nomatter what I do, I know she'll be there for me. So I hope she will not mind this transition of mine from the digital to the written form too much. Maybe she can provide visual representations of my writing, who knows? Okay, I have rambled on enough for now :) Oh yes! and another big thanks to the living breathing real-life-fact library that moderates the lightwave forum and goes by the name of 'moe'. Sometimes it's hard to believe that guy is human with all the knowledge he carries up in that head of his :) And yes, flyhippie, I remembered you too... friend ;)