I feel I have lost my heart,
And the words which always freed me,
Wandered away,
Standing just beyond my grasp,
Eluding every attempt to reach out,
And put them where they belong,
On too white paper,
And out of my heart,
Where they can exist,
Without tormenting me…
They skittered here and there,
Sometimes clear as a bell,
Ringing so hollowly in this empty shell,
Sometimes sounding like a dull throb,
That beats inside my chest…
I wondered where they went,
And how to grasp them,
Tried to force them out,
But they fought harder to stay…
They are sitting there now,
Making me sick,
Tossing back the food I try to eat,
Burning my eyes when I try to see them…
I won’t cry,
I won’t bore you with tears,
Instead I will walk a bit,
And stare at the edge of my world,
Or lay in my bed,
And dream of another place,
And someone else,
Who whispers words of love,
That I strain to hear,
And believe.
Maybe after I rest a bit,
I can find them,
Bring them here,
And let them out again…
Then my heart will have room,
For the love,
You keep saying you have for me,
And maybe,
I can let go of my grief,
Long enough to hear you…
I promised myself I would take the time to respond to your work as you have done for me. I have read a lot and wish that I could respond meaningfully to all I read because you are a great poet and so accomplished a wordsmith. This particular poem is deeply moving and thought provoking. I especially loved the last lines: 'And maybe, I can let go of my grief, Long enough to hear you.' What an impactful line and one that will linger. Thank you!
With respect and admiration ...Chanti
Yell Out Evil Be Gone, Satan Be Gone-- Only Good Will Surround Protect Your Heart, Your Grief Will Subside, Your Eyes Will Open To New Pathes Of Thought__Be . Peace Within Your (Soul) Heart_
Although I loved your picture, (and really wanna go there myself) I thought the perfect photo to illustrate the emotions this evokes would be a long lens shot into an million dollar apartment showing an isolated, melancholy figure, something like that artist Edward Hopper (? suddenly I'm not sure of the name) would do.
This is an excellent poem.
Reviewed by Thomas Lanechanger (Reader)
Reviewed on June 26, 2004
This is a great write, Poet!!! Sometimes you just have to take a step back and look at the BIG picture!!! You have tremendous talent and one gigantic heart to share with the world, Retta!!! I enjoyed the read very much. Thank you for sharing it.
That's it, isn't it? Letting go of our own grief just enough to hear that other person. So well written...
M.Rose
Reviewed by na na (Reader)
Reviewed on June 26, 2004
Retta, a picture does say a million words, and this one says not one word less! Were it me sitting there ... I would be thinking about many things and one of them would be about jumping over the ledge, and ending the chaos of my life. Others can share your thoughts and feelings of repressed love. I remember how friendly you once were toward me;' when we wrote the songs together? What happened? I surely have in no way tried to intrude on your life, or done anything to you; yet you no longer are nice enough to respond to any comment I make on one of your poems. (Even out of common courtesy) How did it come to this? Are you so controlled that you have no choice in certain areas? Well it makes no difference. I think you are a very intuitive poetess. Someone with much talent and I respond to the talent I see. To the poetry you write; for I am not responsible to another here at AD. I thought you had more independence in what you thought and said. I was wrong. But so what. Again who cares. And now I choose not to be silent and let something fester inside of me. Tell your little friend hello. Bill
p.s. If I were going to put together a book of poems. You can bet
your butt at least one of your poems would be in the book. There is about 12 poet/poetess here at AD that show me the skills necessary to write for publication, and you are one of those. And I am not trying to 'blow smoke' up your rear.
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you've written some powerful poems lately--this one is so profoundly moving--thank you for touching my soul today
(((((HUGS))))) and love, karla. :( *tears*
Carmen :-)
I promised myself I would take the time to respond to your work as you have done for me. I have read a lot and wish that I could respond meaningfully to all I read because you are a great poet and so accomplished a wordsmith. This particular poem is deeply moving and thought provoking. I especially loved the last lines: 'And maybe, I can let go of my grief, Long enough to hear you.' What an impactful line and one that will linger. Thank you!
With respect and admiration ...Chanti
Tear's TRASK
Hugs and warm Love Tinka!!
This is an excellent poem.
M.Rose
p.s. If I were going to put together a book of poems. You can bet
your butt at least one of your poems would be in the book. There is about 12 poet/poetess here at AD that show me the skills necessary to write for publication, and you are one of those. And I am not trying to 'blow smoke' up your rear.
It is precious when I have a chance to read you, and take a moment to just be in awe of a beautiful heart.
Blessings,
John
This is so intuitive. I feel your thoughts.
Love the photo!