A Women's Serenade (self portrait contest 2013)

Self portrait my adult life in poetic form..

 

A Woman's Serenade

 

I've sat beside the railroad tracks

and watched my life rush by

I've walked a long and lonely road,

I've sat alone and cried

I've built a mountain from a hill,

symbolic though it was

I've seen the destined eagle pass

in flight the way it does

I 've more than once been loved and lost

I've been abandoned raped and tossed

I've tried to climb some hills too steep

I've slid back down and there I'd weep

I've sewn together happiness

when family leaned upon it

I've raised and ruled a multitude

caressed them in a sonnet

I've Spackle'd closed the cracks of life

to try to keep them safe from harm

I've led them and I've walked behind,

sometimes it's been a funny farm

I shoveled through some knee high stuff,

I've paddled without an oar

I've sailed the seas both smooth and rough

and somehow reached the shore

I've worn a shell to keep me safe,

then allowed that shell to shatter

I wore the cloak of patience

and I've felt my patience splatter

I've kneeled and prayed beside the grave

of loved ones I have lost

I've raised my voice in godly praise

yet questioned him the cost

there is no perfection here,

of flesh and bone I'm made

I am just a woman child

whose lived a serenade

bj smith 

aka shallimarRose

 

 

 

 

Entered in the self portrait contest September 2013

 For more shallimarRose Poetry by title in my blog click link: Bits of Me...Table of Contents by title...

Author's Note

feel free....

Reviews

[wordwarrior]

Oh my this is just stunning. I felt so many emotions reading this and could understand all those metaphors that encase so many emotions. Brilliant writing that grabs the reader in and takes them on your inner life's journey and oh how many of us can relate to parts or all of this!
I adore those last two lines...simple and oh so effective.
Wonderful poetry!

[shallimarRose]

Thank you WW.. how sweet.. Yes.. I suspect that many have traveled these same miles and trials.. xo Rose

[icelandicblue]

This is just gorgeous. It's so filled with life and energy. It was an absolute pleasure to read.

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Blue (name?) for the very nice review.. xo Rose

[rubie]

What a beautiful "serenade", journey and so much more. I can relate to this in so many ways....

"I've Spackle'd closed the cracks of life".

I think that's my favorite line because it's such a fantastic metaphor. We don't tear down a wall because it's cracked; rather, we patch it up so no one can see the damage underneath. And we are stronger for it.

"I've paddled without an oar". Yes, indeed. So have I. Oars make the journey easier, but easier is not always better.

Terrific write!

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Rubie for this very nice review and taking time out to come read me in the first place.. Rose

[ron]

This was amazing Rose. I felt the pain and joy of your poem. Big Hugs.

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Ron very much for taking time to read.. xo Rose

[ron]

You are most welcome Rose.. xo

[Keith]

Thank you for sharing, that is wonderful story of a wonderful life. They say the best steels come from the hottest fires.

[shallimarRose]

Thank you again Keith for reading and for a sweet review.. xo Rose

[shallimarRose]

Hmmm are you saying I am a firecracker? lol thanks again Keith.. xo

[Keith]

No, just amazing!

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

That is awesome... life is full of many opportunities and has plenty of twists and turns, that is why we are built with many layers.

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Cowboy... (I cant remember your real name now? lol) Rose

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

Thats okay, cowboy works just fine :)

[shallimarRose]

Oh so now you wont tell me? lol... ok works for me too... you see my cowgirl hat? ;)

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

It is actually on my bio page :)))
Yes I did see your hat :))

[Lamis]

You know the first thing that came across my mind as I scrolled down this poem? It very much has this melody to it like an abandoned song you need to hear over and over again, need to play it as loud as possible so everyone could hear what you're hearing ..
I must read this one over and over again, I loved it this much!

[shallimarRose]

Thank you very much.. I am pleased when someone shelves something I have written.. shallimarRose

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing poem. I like the journey you allowed me to part of. Life take us to many places good and bad. I like the way you led the reader to some wisdom. We must seek a place where we can know peace and have a life we can enjoy.
"I've sailed the seas both smooth and rough
and somehow reached the shore"
Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[shallimarRose]

Thanks Coyote... I am pleased you enjoyed.. xo Rose

[ba_mcfarlane]

This is exceptional,the phrasing is both impeccable and inspired. "I've paddled without an oar"`

....seas both smooth and rough...`somehow reached the shore.`...

This poem, each phrase, each word, perfect, fitted like a keystone in the arch of a medieval cathedral that has stood for a thousand years.
Exquisite.

[shallimarRose]

Oh my goodness, I am humbled by your praise of this piece.. I simply wrote my life story .. I am so glad you read and enjoyed.. thank you ... shallimarRose

[Sharon L.H. Kelly]

So beautifully written and so easy to relate to. Keep the magic flowing!

[shallimarRose]

Thank you again sharon for taking out time to visit my pages.. xo Rose