~Broke the Mold~

southern strength

“When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways - either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength.”

Dalai Lama

Creepy clouds crowd my brain today

blackened sheep… insane… or led astray?

r e p l a y i n g… estranged thoughts cast away

rearranging… a brave… display.

 

Sittin’ here missin’… wishes… dead and gone

lonely feeling… won’t… leave… me… alone

walls made of thick… Mississippi… stone

r e e l i n g… this heavy heart roams.

 

Fingers lingering on which one to blame

considering inward….what should I say

A f r a i d    of stray pain staking its claim

wandering… when resolve starts to sway.

 

Wondering…. just what… I will find

with nothing left behind… but… time

troubled mind… resigned to define

L O S T… blurring lines you helped design.

 

My spirit… NO longer… your prey

appearance of thunder… kept at bay

h e a l i n g     hope… now… has a home

showing… strength… I’d never known.

 

Deciding despite the damage you have done

the fight of this journey has just begun

s h i n i n g    the light… on the lies… you’ve told

cuz--with this southern soul… they broke… the… mold.

Author's Note

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Reviews

[dan]

April, This is probably my favorite, so far, of your pieces that I reviewed. The wording itself is stunning, chock full of vibrant imagery; but perhaps the singular highlight of this is your PRESENTATION...using different font sizes, italics, ellipses and unorthodox spacing...really serves to place emphasis on the more cogent pieces of text. I don't normally give out ratings of 100 (except in rare instances), but you have earned one. Fantastic write, young lady! take care...dan

[AprilRN1210]

oh my goodness, what a review!.. you have just made my day.. Thank you so much Dan, I appreciate it..

[TheLostMind]

Honestly, this poem is awesome. Sometimes in life we feel lost, alone. Everything we believed in comes crashing down, as reality dawns on us. This is the real test for us. "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising each time we fall - Anon". I know you will come out stronger than ever. "Let your heart hold fast, for this soon shall pass - Fort Atlantic :P".

I've been reading your poems for quite some time now. This one is different. This one has an air of despondency to it. Great work!

PS : You messed up my name
"troubled mind… resigned to define
L O S T… blurring lines you helped design." :P

[AprilRN1210]

guess that means need to change my name to match then?

thank you for this thoughtful, encouraging, sweet review. I have been trying to tell myself the same thing lately... I honestly appreciate it... always such a pleasure to see you:)

[TheLostMind]

Lol. You could indeed change your name to something awesome (PS : that doesn't mean 'April` is bad. Its great if its real :P). How about "Kate Winslet" or "Emma Watson"? :P. I am glad I could be of some help. Keep believing in yourself :).

[AprilRN1210]

Unit sure who the heck would use April as their "made-up" name if given a choice. No freaking way! So yes, was born in that month and got stuck with it... Why would I want s name someone else already has? Nuh uh! Will stick with my simple one it's kinda grown on me.... And thank you so much, I am trying my friend:)

[AprilRN1210]

****not**** stinking phone is laughing at me!! Grrrr..... Electronics hate me...

[TheLostMind]

Hey, "April" is a really good name. You know what would be a bad name - "January" :P. BTW you said - "guess that means need to change my name to match then?". So, I suggested a couple of names. :)

[Kenneth The Poet]

Indeed, the mold was broken here.

[AprilRN1210]

hey stranger!!! nice to see you!... thank you:)

[Kristan A. Mohammed]

What an interesting piece. I'm left a little confused. But i really enjoyed this piece.
I always expect exceptional pieces from you April. And this did not disappoint.

[AprilRN1210]

oh no! how did I confuse you?... I am glad you at least enjoyed.. thank you.. nice to see you my friend... always a pleasure:)

[Kristan A. Mohammed]

Its not the poem that confused me. Its how I relate to it that has me wondering how I really feel. But its an awesome piece. Keep making good stuff.

[AprilRN1210]

oh.. I see.. glad that it could make you think and question your own feelings.. never a bad thing.. thank you again!.. always a pleasure to see you :)

[Dara]

Very powerful and full of raw emotion. I just simply loved it! Would make great lyrics for a song.

[AprilRN1210]

was grooving to this song and my heart wanted to sing its own melody and this is what came out, I am so glad you enjoyed it.. I appreciate your time and thoughts.. thank you!

[TL Boehm]

I like where the poem goes and the way it gets there - from thought to source of pain - but my favorite stanzas are those first two. Thick Mississippi stone. Really like that phrase.

[AprilRN1210]

thank you girl.. added that at the last minute.. tickled you enjoyed this..

[willweb]

The night, when thoughts find their way in the dark, fueling your wondrous pen and I am the lucky one, because I have found this poem this morning in the bright sunlight and it has enchanted me. This struggle, though sad is presented in a beautiful and pleasing to the eye way. I love the format and the feel of this poem.

[AprilRN1210]

I am tickled I was able to enchant you and you enjoyed.. thank you for this awesome review my friend.. I appreciate it :)

[Bright Ocean Star]

April, I thought this one was deeply mysterious and soulful. I really loved it...but I would have nixed the alternating faunt. It made my inner voice rise and fall and twist and turn and it became about that more than the message of the poem. Great poem, though. I've been fighting my own inner demons the last couple of days, and this one reminded me that other people struggle with the same depression, questioning thoughts of what else is out there, what am I to do? Like I said...this one was deep. Very refreshing, and a great write...Thank you for sharing it with us...:)

[AprilRN1210]

yes ma'am.. sometimes it feels good to know that we are not alone in our inner struggles and doubts.. those times when the demons haunt and we feel alone... I am glad that this one touched you.. and will think about changing the font.. was wondering on that point.. thank you for this awesome review.. and ((big hugs)) to ya girl!... that inner strength is stronger than we think :)

[Bright Ocean Star]

Thank you, April...Have a great, terrific Tuesday!!! :)

[Matching Socks]

I love a good strong solid female character in poetry, movies, books...
Setting a good example! Great poem pretty belle!

[AprilRN1210]

Thank you girl, it is nice to see you!... I am glad you enjoyed this one :)

[Lydia Shutter]

Your words flow so easily and the rhyme is splendid. It almost sounds like a set of lyrics....I read it aloud and it was great. Such an empowering write, April. Lydi**

[AprilRN1210]

thank you so much Lydia.. I tried to give it a sing-song quality, definitely gave me trouble when my heart wanted to speak and ignore my head.. sometimes just have to let it out.. I am glad it game across well and especially read aloud.. means a lot coming from such a talented writer, you always bring such a warm, beautiful light that makes my heart smile.. :)

[Avinash]

Here comes the story of survival and rise of spirit in a way which will echo in many hearts. We often tend to forget how many storms we have survived and that should make us confident enough to face the future ones.
This time you have ventured in a different terrain and with panache for sure. Thanks for sharing this bright work.

[AprilRN1210]

ever wise and deep even in reviews.... always a pleasure to read your thoughts, be it in poem or review.. thank you so much.. I am glad you enjoyed :)