I live my life upon a home-made raft. Much tested in the doldrum and the storm, this bravest of ships, this noblest of craft, hewn from wise words, life bent, and battle worn.
For at the stern is the lesson at hand
to be forward looking, not to look back.
For the glow of nostalgia hides quicksand
where the unwary sink, lost to the black.
Nor stop to look to the side, where phantom islands shimmer to distract and ensnare, to depress or inflate us with random wild thoughts of what we imagine is there.
Mid-raft, are the trusted oars of the words give your all to that which you can control. And let the truth that it's not what others do, it's what you do that counts, ease life's toll.
And at the bow, is the wisdom to fill my heart with hope, to be grateful each day. For my craft is afloat seaworthy still and I am its captain finding my way. Anna Larner

Autobiographical Poetry
Poetry as a means of self-expression. Autobiographical poetry can be defined as one in which the poet gives an account of his/her life, as well as self-revelation, self-exploration and “thoughtful and analytical excursions into the self”.