If I Could Speak... (poem) by Retta (Reindeer) Mckenzie on AuthorsDen

Reviewed by Simon Thurlow (Reader)

Reviewed on February 29, 2004

This was an enchanting poem

Reviewed on February 28, 2004

Reindeer,
This is one of the most moving of yours that I've read so far. A gutwrenching poem, very beautifully written.
~Chrisie

Reviewed by OnepoetGem *the Poetic Rapper

Reviewed on February 28, 2004

Enjoyed the read Reatta. love and peace. G

Reviewed by Elizabeth Taylor (Reader)

Reviewed on February 27, 2004

Beautiful work, Retta. The picture is magnificent too.

Love,
Elizabeth

Reviewed by - - - - - TRASK

Reviewed on February 26, 2004

Romantic You- I Love Photo-

You Just Spoke!

TRASK

Reviewed by Nicole Lasher

Reviewed on February 26, 2004

These lines:

"And still I heard that morning lark,
Singing and singing,
Like a town crier,
Saying all is well…

That’s when I learned not to believe."

These are the ones that spoke to my soul.

Reviewed by Lady Peg (Reader)

Reviewed on February 26, 2004

BEAUTIFUL REIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent poetry!

Reviewed by Bhuwan Thapaliya

Reviewed on February 26, 2004

If I Could Speak…

If I could speak,
I would tell you,
The secrets in my soul,
The things you keep asking,
And wanting to know…

But instead,
I think I should show you,
The feeling in my heart,
Maybe then my silence,
Would not keep us apart…

Think of snow,
White and soft,
And a child crying in the dark,
Not me you know,
It was her,
My sister thrown out to die,
Because she cried too much…

That’s when I learned not to cry.

Think of a graveyard,
Stark and so quiet,
Yet in the trees,
A bird sings a morning greeting,
Yet no where,
Do you hear weeping,
Indians aren’t supposed to cry…

That’s when I learned not to hear.

The silence was too deafening,
I missed her so much,
Yet couldn’t say a word,
All I could do,
Was listen to that damn bird…

That’s when I learned not to speak.

She came for me you know,
So many times,
But someone always held me back,
And still I heard that morning lark,
Singing and singing,
Like a town crier,
Saying all is well…

That’s when I learned not to believe.

In the shadows of my room,
I saw ghosts,
That’s when I learned not to see,
To fear the light,
Kept myself in darkness,

It’s safe here,
Soft and warm,
It’s dark here,
No shadows to see…

If I could speak,
I would tell you all these things,
But I can’t,
I learned too young,
To stay silent and quiet,
And safe…

Reindeer...This is one of ure best write...am all into tears now...what a write!!!!

Reviewed by Andi Chrisman (Reader)

Reviewed on February 26, 2004

you brought tears to my eyes. Wonderful.

Reviewed by ya mama (Reader)

Reviewed on February 26, 2004

well done.

Reviewed by evan horetsky

Reviewed on February 26, 2004

This has excellent flow, and I enjoyed it deeply
many loves,
Evan

Reviewed by Debby Rosenberg

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

powerful portrait in this "if I"

Reviewed by Ron (sketchman) Axelson (Reader)

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

Excellent writing as it touched my heart...
Joy & happiness

Reviewed by Tinka Boukes

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

This one touched me Retta!!

Most excellent yet again!!

Love Tinka

Reviewed by Rebekah Rosie Lang

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

Spell-bounding with every stanza!
Touches the heart! Such emotion!
My word! Thanksz for all your reviews!

Reviewed by Floria Kelderhouse (Reader)

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

Oh this is so very touching Reindeer.....just touched my heart....
lovely writing....and love the picture...floria

Reviewed by E T Waldron

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

My God Reindeer! This one chokes the senses! Outstanding write done with eloquence and grace, which makes it all the more astounding!

Reviewed by Al Swanson (Reader)

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

very good poem Reindeer, so sad more don't speak, ty al, the images touched deeply too

Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

Applause! You have spoken well.

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

Well, heck, you reached out and grabbed me by the throat with this one. Damn fine poetry.

Reviewed by Larry Rochelle

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

Good image of silence not always protecting the psyche, even when the body is well-preserved.

Reviewed by J. Allen Wilson

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

The Darkness moves nicely in this piece, I relished the emotion here. Excellent write
Allen

Reviewed by George Carroll

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

Very moving write

Reviewed by Anna Marie Fritz (Reader)

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

What a deeply moving message, Retta!
A beautiful piece of work.

Reviewed by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

i was overprotected, too, and sometimes i wonder if it were better that i was. i still don't know a lot of things, and i wonder if i would have been better off in knowing things at an earlier age than i did in real life. i think it was because i was born physically handicapped; i don't know; but i was a late bloomer, and i didn't know a lot of things until later on than most kids.

good write, though, reindeer; enjoyed~

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in tx., karen lynn. :(

Reviewed by Sanil nath (Reader)

Reviewed on February 25, 2004

This was excellent write ...
Can feel the whisper from your heart ...
Knocking the doors of darkness ...

Loved it ...

Huggs for you ...