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Retta (Reindeer) Mckenzie

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Member Since: Sep, 2002

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I Never Learned To Smile
by Retta (Reindeer) Mckenzie → (All Poetry by Retta (Reindeer) Mckenzie)
  
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I Never Learned To Smile


Everyone says speak,
But I fear,
They really do not want to hear,
How boring,
How trite,
Any word I have to say...

So I hide,
And grieve,
And weep,
But shed no watery tears...

Sometimes,
They fall like blood,
On blank pages,
Sometimes clear,
Sometimes smeared,
And in this way,
I teach them to listen,
To the words I cannot say...

Happy enough,
In this silent world,
I listen well,
So others tell-
But never speak,
My tongue was always weak...

I never learned to smile,
In my home it was not done,
No emotion could be revealed,
How well I learned to hide,
Any feeling so deep inside...

It was quiet in that house,
The silence was deafening,
But I learned to love it so well,
I learned how to hide there,
It kept me from getting beat,
All to hell...

I was ten when I found a way,
To speak the words I could not say,
Hid them in prose and stories,
That could be taken in many ways...

But a few could sense the truth,
One of them was you,
The first time they were truly understood,
I was shocked and confused...

No one ever listened before,
No one ever heard,
My lips had found a voice,
Leaving me little choice,

But to love you,
And whisper words,
I never thought I would say,
Thank you love,
For teaching me to smile today...

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 Reviews of "I Never Learned To Smile"
Reviewed by Adrienne Alloway (Reader)
Reviewed on February 17, 2004
I loved this poem...it really described how I feel. Thanks for writing this.

Reviewed by Renee Bagley (Reader)
Reviewed on January 16, 2004
This is tragically beautiful, great poem!

Reviewed on December 20, 2003
(((reindeer)))

*tears* i am moved to tears by your awesome write--just blown away

(((HUGS))) and love,

karla. *another keeper--thank you*

Reviewed by ***** ********* (Reader)
Reviewed on December 18, 2003
Nicely done, melancholy and bittersweet, and very touching!

Reviewed on December 18, 2003
a kind or sad poem that ends up a joy, this was truly interesting and good Retta. Glad you learned how to smile, now do a little joy crying for your soul. cheers and love G

Reviewed by William Bonilla
Reviewed on December 12, 2003
excellent piece
beautiful art

william

Reviewed by Amor Sabor
Reviewed on December 12, 2003
Every smile is priceless...such as this poem. The emotions are felt through the silence. Beautiful.
Amor

Reviewed by Claywoman (Reader)
Reviewed on December 11, 2003
This is beautiful Raindeer! I loved it!

Reviewed by Christine Morell
Reviewed on December 11, 2003
You reach my heart with your beautiful writing every time.This has left me speechless.
~Chrissie

Reviewed by Tinka Boukes
Reviewed on December 11, 2003
Beautiful poetry Retta!!

Love Tinka

Reviewed by Vesna Perkovic (Reader)
Reviewed on December 11, 2003
..this is pure art..it's pure spirituality...it is PURE!!!!

Thankyou soo much..it goes into my library then into the printer then on my WALL!!!

Vesna :) Thankyou!!!

Reviewed by Transcendental Poet (Reader)
Reviewed on December 11, 2003
RETTA, this is masterful..I am SPEECHLESS to the imagery and verse depth..I can see that your heart is seeping into your poetry...writing in music of mind..GREAT writing..

Reviewed by Paul Berube
Reviewed on December 11, 2003
Retta, this is very well expressed and surely makes up for any oral statements that could never have beeen said. Your pen packs a powerful message.. Well done.

Reviewed by Floria Kelderhouse (Reader)
Reviewed on December 11, 2003
Thank God for your gift of writing Reindeer. As it has helped to heal you and in turn it helps us readers. This is so very touching. Sad and yet there is much hope..this touched me...have a great holiday..floria

Reviewed on December 10, 2003
Salutations to All.
>>>>>>>>> < < < < < < < < < <
"I Never Learned To Smile" lights up the darkness of the universe of my mind and teaches me to listen... I have learned here throughout the lines of "I Never Learned To Smile".

If I don't ever say a word again (write) with this machine of flesh that I use, (IF I DIE) BE IT KNOW that tonight "I said Eureka" when I read this "I Never Learned To Smile", but if I am here after I write this thought, there You hear me saying again, for the days that I stay on this planet: "This is the poem that I will engrave in platinum to be displayed in the basilica of my Poets."

I Salute You, Poet Retta (Reindeer) Mckenzie! You make me proud of the Poets!

May You enjoy a memorable Season.


My respect and admiration, always.


Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU

Reviewed by Lady Peg (Reader)
Reviewed on December 10, 2003
Rein <

OH YOU>
This is excellent touching
relatable.

"No one ever listened before,
No one ever heard,
My lips had found a voice,
Leaving me little choice,

But to love you,
And whisper words,
I never thought I would say,
Thank you love,
For teaching me to smile today"

Love Peg

Reviewed by Mr. Ed
Reviewed on December 10, 2003
Wonderful write, and a wonderful, wonderful ending!

Reviewed by - - - - - TRASK
Reviewed on December 10, 2003
Poem Excellent_

I Never Smiled Even As Child,i.e. Simply Put_ Anybody Who Smiles . You -You Can Sure Bet They Want Something From You_

Try Winning $10 Million You'l Get Millions Of Smiles From Everybody!

Not Damned Thing Wrong In Hiding Your Feelings,i.e. SMILES!

TRASK

Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)
Reviewed on December 10, 2003
This speaks directly from the heart so much more powerful then spoken words. Your writing always amazes me. You have outdone yourself with this one. Keep smiling you have a lot to share :-)

Reviewed by Ron (sketchman) Axelson (Reader)
Reviewed on December 10, 2003
Happy your smiling..
Great write!

Reviewed by E T Waldron
Reviewed on December 10, 2003
Sometimes harsh beginnings spell sweet endings, I think it's that way with you Reindeer! Your beautiful poetry reaches many, because you have "been there" Wonderful write!

Reviewed by Sanil nath (Reader)
Reviewed on December 10, 2003
This is so nice and so nice .. I LOVED THIS VERSE ..

But to love you,
And whisper words,
I never thought I would say,
Thank you love,
For teaching me to smile today...


I AM SO HAPPY TODAY SO HAPPY ...
THANKS ....



HUGGS for you

Reviewed by Michael Morash (Reader)
Reviewed on December 10, 2003
Wow, you have done it once again. A brilliant set of verses. Bravo.

Michael

Reviewed on December 10, 2003
wonderful write from my favorite little reindeer! enjoyed~ am always blown away by your writes! (((HUGS))) and much love, your tx. friend, karen lynn. :D love you, reindeer!

Reviewed by Al Swanson (Reader)
Reviewed on December 10, 2003
a very gracious poem raindeer on porlbems having an avenue, and then going into it. This work probably applies to many with various "problems", but then if it were truly a problem it could not have yielded such beautiful results, al

Reviewed by Erin Kelly-Moen
Reviewed on December 10, 2003
Sheez, Rhetta...you always wrack my mind and heart with your 'speakings'. Maybe that is the power of poetry, so many emotions packed into few words. Great piece, it hurts, but redeems a life that learns to look and love again. :)


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