Lie if you need to
but I know
you could replace me
as easily as I drop china
watching in slow motion unable
to correct the breakage
I asked you once
why does everything slow down
when we fall? Collapse?
There was a time Nervous Breakdown
stood in line and begged along with the rest of us
for some kind word
and still the soup was rank and cold
against my fevered tongue
Lie if you need to
but I know
just as my skin hangs loose around me
like a fantastic dress I never got to wear
what a shame I think to myself
all the places I could go
if only I knew
how to tuck and stitch
these folds into a parachut
then neither of us would fall
or need mending
we’d be whole
like we were before I knew
I’d been nothing to you
for as long as I could recall
How could you not be anything but a gift to anyone? These lines, to me, are the meat of the poem. There’s such power here and pain too.
“if only I knew
how to tuck and stitch
these folds into a parachute
then neither of us would fall
or need mending
we’d be whole
like we were before I knew
I’d been nothing to you
for as long as I could recall”
Impressive work, Candice. Peace.
Thank you so very much dearest Tre.
You’re welcome.
Outstanding words that spilled over the edges of my soul Candice…
“There was a time Nervous Breakdown
stood in line and begged along with the rest of us
for some kind word
and still the soup was rank and cold
against my fevered tongue”
What trE said. I can’t improve on that.
The dropping china is a splendid metaphor
It is hard to accept that we are nothing but fleeting moments – both to others and to the world in general. This is an honest sensitive poem which touched me deeply.
It is hard to accept that we are nothing more than a fleeting moment – both to others and the world in general. This is an honest and sensitive poem which touched me deeply.
Powerfully beautiful
I understand this poem and where it comes from and why. 💗
I know you because you’ve allowed me to. I’m grateful for that. You let me see into your world sister. This allows me to know you intimately. That’s a gift, because you are a gift. For that I thank-you.
You do know me. Quite a few people have said they know me over the years, I’m no enigma but knowing a person isn’t easy it takes commitment, time, intention. You know me because I have let you but also because we’ve walked the same walk, gotten closer than the cursory ‘how are you?’ superficial friendships most find satisfying. I know if we lived nearer we’d be in each other’s lives even more, but I am so glad for what I have had knowing you all these years and it’s been A LONG TIME NOW which I’m tremendously glad of.
You always have. I have always had an anathema to superficiality and those kinds of temporal friendships that are really more ephemeral than solid and time-defying. You and I met in intensity and have never really left that place. It soothes me to know I’m not the only one, that we share many of the same thoughts and feelings although I will always think of you as the clever one with the best cheekbones and me as your younger sister, even as I am older, because you’re so damn wise woman.
Thank you xo
You are right – so right. It is hard. I have always since childhood thought we were nothing more than a fleeting moment but that doesn’t completely decry the value of that moment as it can last, and return in memory and the memories others have of us. If anything it gives us greater impetus to be all we can in one life, to be good and touch others lives, and burn bright. Thank you so much for your reading of my work it really means a lot to me xo
Coming from a poet whom I respect very much this is really appreciated and helps me keep going – thank you so much dear Ivor
My pleasure Candice … my comments are always words from my soulful heart … ❤
Oh, I totally agree, and I certainly wouldn’t want to denigrate the moment- if we can bring a moment’s joy to another than that, in my book, is ‘job done’.