I write so much
Reams of words tower here and there
In pockets of ether
That were never designed to hold
Anything of worth for long
Perhaps that’s why I build here
My words sucked within
That which I brush up against
Allowed for a moment
To bury its teeth skin deep
Take a bite
Nibble along the pain sensors of my mind
But not deeper
Where like a traumatic wound
Things become numb
I never disturb the deep places
Let them lie
What good is found in kicking over those piles
Of long buried rubbish
Some think I give away pieces of my soul
Commit exposure
On a grand scale
By blogging in poetry
And they would be wrong
What is allowed to be taken from me
By the Internet for free
Is only what my subconscious allows
I know this
Because instinctively it closes
When I try to delve deeper
Than just those skin deep phrases
A block appears
Platen steel
It arises between what I feel
And the carefully protected fields
Deeper in
Where parts of me are numb
And if the words were to come from those places
Perhaps they would be poetic and painful
But expensively won
They can remain where they are
Packages undone
They pile up on corners
I forget they are there
Until darkness falls
And I trip
Falling
Over the buried things
Still
It’s the paper
And the string
I pat as I pass
Grateful that at least
They remain untouched.
*So that’s my poetry style – full of metaphor, a bit of smoke and mirrors yet it is the only way I can write – that’s just the way it comes out of me.
I have been reading Susan Richardson’s powerful poetry from her book “Things my Mother Left Behind”
It has left me feeling inadequate as a poet and a little jealous – well, I’m human I guess.
Susan gives and keeps giving with her poetry, she leaves no part of her behind that is for sure.
Because of that I was thoroughly caught up and emotionally rode each line of her poetry with her. Her words resonate. A truly great writer.
I highly recommend this book and will be giving her a five star review.
“Things my Mother Left Behind” can be found here it’s wonderful and a screen shot of mine that I bought back in July when it was released but only have recently got around to reading. Don’t do that. Buy this and read it straight away. It’s lovely. Don’t forget the all important review at the end – we need your reviews.
Also – a plug for my Patreon account where other poetry and things are happening and building: you can become a member for as little as $1 per month. Thanks for considering.
“And I trip
Falling
Over the buried things”
Love it!!! Totally relate.
Thankyou. I think everyone has their buried things – half of them I don’t even realise are there until I stub my toe.
Brilliant piece of writing!!!
Thanks Yassy. I think we are all so different – your poetry is amazing and I could never write the way you do it just doesn’t come from me that way – you have a beautiful way with words, it’s like sitting near an instrument when I read them.
That is so very generous of you , Kate. That is the nicest thing to say. Made my weekend more beautiful 🤗
All true my friend ❤️
Bless you 💖
Yassy I sent you a message on Twitter – check it out when you get five 😊
Okay 😊
A most satisfying piece! By all means stay away from the deep places or at least until your inner raven has added enough stones to make them not so deep 🙂 And at the risk of sounding like your Mum – don’t compare yourself! You write well! 😉
Ha thanks Bon. So do you I love your blog. You always manage to come up with the most interesting tales.
You are always so encouraging!! Thank you!
Oh, and artfully deflected haha ;-p
😉💕
Thanks for your review of Richardson’s poetry collection. As a lover of poetry, I’ve discovered that each poet has her own poetic style and vision. Don’t underestimate the power of your own work in touching another heart or soul <3
Thanks Rosaliene – I think it is perhaps better to use the word inspires.
I love your poem! It is deep and can be interpreted in so many ways – the beauty of poetry. Sometimes, we can use people’s amazing work to motivate us to do better. Thanks for sharing! Keep up the great work!
Nancy ✨ exquisitely.me
Thanks Nancy and beautifully expressed that’s why I love reading other people’s writing – it inspires me with my own
Never underestimate the power or quality of your own words. If the reader can relate at any level, you have succeeded.
I think we can only write how we write – I’m often set afire by what others do too – perhaps it is just a case of candles lighting other candles
Oh I’m a fan of this! Your poetry is beautiful and it speaks volumes 🦋
Oh thanks Hannah ❤️
You’re so welcome lovely 💖💕
I am incredibly grateful for your generous words about my writing and my book, but you have nothing to be jealous of. Go back and read the beautiful poem that began this post, and know that your words are beautiful and cutting, that they will stay with me in image and feeling. I am a great admirer of your work!
I go through moments of doubt every day about my writing, but then I get inspired by writers like you and it makes me step away from those feelings of defeat. Today, I got a very mediocre review from someone whose work I have admired and I can’t deny that it hurt me, but then I read yours and the light has come back into my day. Thank you, Kate.
Listen to the humming bird whose wings you cannot are, listen to the butterfly whose days number but three, listen to the mind of God – but don’t listen to me. Leonard Cohen – I love this simple little poem that he murmurs over and over – listen to the kind of God – that’s what we poets do Susan. Good luck to the rest of the critiques they just don’t stack up in the end. Your book is great, perhaps because I cared for my own elderly parents I resonate with your words. They are beautiful. Keep writing XX
I love this quote from Leonard Cohen. Thank you Kate! I think we will both keep writing. It is what we do. xoxo
It is not in me to stop now – I think the best years are all ahead.
I am going to remember these words when I start thinking about quitting.
💖💖