Your mother would scold you
pick yourself up ugly child
clean your room, scrub and polish
until there is no room for doubt
you may be unloved but
you will keep a straight back and shiny shoes
and you
learned quicker than a mouse
can covet cheese and steal itself a piece
to keep yourself small and burning
for a time to pounce
back under the hot lights of attention
turn this way and that until you are
bronzed like an award you make yourself
for surviving
I am owed
you think as you spit on your reflection with shirt cuff
and shine it brand new
I am owed
for my childhood
all the taint it took, not to reduce to rubble
instead I built myself a fort and became unbreakable
because this world eats the tender-hearted
with morels and mustard for breakfast
crushes underfoot truth in her glass orb
it is better we inherit the sharp cold heart of our destroyers
lift up our skirts and cross the puddles
with insulated rubber boots
than wallow in the frigid water
wondering why
most of what we do and say is
superficial and a lie to
garner peace and stifle the dagger
aimed at our center
all good but for the gentle
soul who can no more hurt than
turn away from need
she who cups water in her hands
to feed the thirsty flower
struggling to grow through concrete
by the side of exhaust-ridden road
what miracles we behold
surviving against the odds
it is this solace
keeps us staying who we are
when the world would pitch fire
extinguishing mercy
leaving battlefields full
for crows to pick through
we endure, laying down our
arms, our faces pointed toward
the clouds and wait
for rain to pour down
“All good but for the gentle soul…..” As that concept is meditated upon so much can come into focus. Thank you!
This is the kind of piece that I read and re-read and learn from. I echo Rick, “Thank you!”
It is wonderful and inspiring…what of those tender souls?
What a punch!! Your words pommelled my heart. Brilliant work.
soul who can no more hurt than
turn away from need
she who cups water in her hands
to feed the thirsty flower
struggling to grow through concrete
by the side of exhaust-ridden road
OH THIS IS BREATHTAKING! <3 <3 <3 So much love for this. 🙂
Wonderful poem! Haunting, magical and heartfelt. Having lived life with similar experiences, but advocating for others, my observation would be to learn to be strong (mirror / gird your self against the sharks and hard-hearted) but never ever let your own heart harden. Empathy is both a gift, and a curse, but wield well joy and succour to others.
Oh Candice I feel like you wrote this for me. It’s amazing! <3 <3 <3
Reblogged this on The Phoenix Rises.
Quite wonderful. Sad and tender. Real x
Dearest Steven, I love hearing from you my friend thank you so much xo
This piece resonated with me so deeply xo
Then you bless me
Candice I have fantasies of laying in a hammock on a gorgeous summer day sipping wine while you recite poetry to me. There should be a lake. And maybe some swans. And maybe good cheese and bread and apples. You get the idea.
What a beautiful haunting and gorgeous piece. Particularly struck by: “because this world eats the tender-hearted/with morels and mustard for breakfast/crushes underfoot truth in her glass orb”
ah you ole romantic you (me too, I’m a total sucker for romance) I’d love to although my stupid accent mmm I will learn a new accent 😉 oh and the lake definitely we need a lake though no swans they attack that could be bad .. and food definitely a view without food is bleak indeed xo HUGS (love to you my talented wonderful friend)
Okay, no swans. But a breeze. And lovely food. And pillows. There should be pillows.
love this poetry from the heart
love to you my lovely friend
thank you
I learnt to avoid conflict……..
yep!
You are so gifted 💛
and I am very lucky to have YOU as my friend that I do know
As am I 💛
So much truth. Gorgeous.
An eternally frustrating dilemma for a world that desperately needs tender hearts! This reminds me of a heart breaking epitaph I saw on a couple of old headstones near goldfield ruins in New Zealand. If I remember rightly they were teenage girls who died. I wish I could remember the words but the gist was that they were too sweet for this cruel world. Who knows what on earth happened to those poor girls.
Was it picnic at hanging rock?
Have you seen that? Gosh its been ages since I have! But that’s in Australia… I think I read somewhere that they hold concerts there, but I need to double check. We stayed near there once but never actually visited.
Oh that’s right. I loved that film SO spooky. Australian films are great as are the few NZ ones I’ve seen. Very art-house but not pretentious. They never found all the girls then either.
Yes very spooky. Wish I could remember details, might have to watch it again.
And that is a perfect description of Aussie and NZ films!
Someone wrote a sequel to Hanging Rock, apparently it’s quite silly and ruined the whole mystique of it. I tend to shy from sequels, except the Shrek ones (I am a children’s movie fan hehe)
That’s an incredible film. I confess I’m watching Prisoner Cell Block H that’s an old Oz series too! ha ha! Really? Oh no! I had no idea that there was a sequal I will haev to track it down! I’m not one for sequels either. xo
hahaha you’re watching Prisoner? I remember catching snippets of it when I was a youngun…sometimes I watch moments of reruns and laugh at how bad the acting is, but I never got into it. 🙂
I’m trying to think, I’m not sure the sequel was made into movie, I believe someone just had the audacity to write a book, but honestly, I can’t remember.
If you like children’s movies the one I saw not long ago that I loved I’m sure you would if you have not see it is UP?
Yes, I heard that was good. My current favourite is the Lego Movie hahaha and I have to admit, I am excited there’s another one coming out. But I will see it with no expectations, I tell myself.
I haven’t seen that but do watch UP I’m certain you will like it. Paddington isn’t bad but UP was so good I was surprised. xo
The Lego Movie is manic and crazy and just brilliant. I will definitely have to have a look at UP. Awwww I had a Paddington bear when I was little. I loved it. But I haven’t seen any current movies of it. I think I was afraid it would lose its charm for me if I did.
It kind of did but it was good
Candice I don’t think I could say anything that hasn’t already been said, so I will say Bravo! Just incredible
♡
Reblogged this on RamJet Poetry and commented:
A master piece from Candice
Je t’aime! 🙂 <3
Once again, beautifully sad, compelling, heart breaking and deeply real <3
Straight to the heart ❤️
This resonates way too much with me. I’m one of the soft souls out there, face on the ground, waiting patiently for the rain to come down.
Then we should be friends as I am so like you – we can hold each other up xo
No mercy.
Maybe there isn’t
Among all these superb images, the mouse really stands out
😉
Thank you, Candice ❤❤❤
Dorinda my friend xo thank you xo
xo
Splendid writing! Very relatable. So very good, Candice. <3
I am grateful to you dear Emily xo
Tough and tender by turns … above all, honest!
Honesty is best! Thanks so much Dave xo
What can I say Candice. Just the best from you. This is my fourth read by the way
thank you so much M!
Reblogged this on Sudden Denouement Literary Collective and commented:
Candice Louisa Daquin-The Feathered Sleep
Thank you so much dear one you are so very kind
This is a poem that you can read over and over and find the nobility of man, even when the world is tainted by disgust. You write what many children go through, and you do it well. The word flow is enchanting, there is so much said, even more than the simple words. Well done.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kindness and that you read me. Thank you!
This is really extraordinary <3
Thank you so much dear Nicole I really appreciate your kindness xo
This is amazing. It’s my pleasure.
You are so lovely thank you xo
I’ve read this three times over, it’s so eloquently written and love it. Hugs to you. Deb
Dearest Deb, thank you so much I love it when you like something I have written, swells my head! Thank you my friend.