~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..

[NoelHC]

Very well thought out, and beautifully laid out, a powerful piece April.

[AprilRN1210]

thank you Noel, I admit, this one gave me trouble... love to play with my words but heart wanted to be heard as well, so had to compromise... was frustrating for sure, so I am glad you enjoyed.. means a lot.. always a pleasure to see you.. how are you?

[NoelHC]

All good here, catching up on WC, and getting ready to go read an anthology of...wait for it... cowboy poetry. A collection of works by over 50 cowboy poets, working cowboys, close to the land, and nature, I am looking forward to digging in to this book.

[AprilRN1210]

haha! I bet.. well sir have fun with cowboys!.. you will have to let me know all about it when done:)

[NoelHC]

You may be seeing results of my explorations before I finish it, my "Hot Tea" tale made me think of other memories on the farm that I want to write about, and share, and I just read a clever short one flipping the pages about a coyote, which brought back a vision of hearing them howl on a cold, clear, moonlit winter night.

[AprilRN1210]

and you do so well with imagery, I cannot wait!... win-win... :)

[Rita L. Sev]

Deep emotion gives way to an empowered end in this lyrical poem, April. I love the way these verses roll off the tongue... Great read!

[AprilRN1210]

I admit this one gave me a little problem.. my mind wanted to play with the words, but heart wanted to be heard, so this was a compromise... I am glad you enjoyed it.. it is always a pleasure, and an honor coming from someone who writes so well.. thank you girl :)

[Krystal]

Lovely poem.
Truly inspiring and interesting to read.

[AprilRN1210]

well hey!.. nice to meet you.. thank you.. I am glad you enjoyed..

[Illuminatix]

"Wondering…. just what… I will find

with nothing left behind…"

Probably a new beginning.. and that just should sound great..
Love the poem and the vid in the background..

[AprilRN1210]

new beginning indeed.. sometimes that is all we can do is pick up the pieces, dust ourselves off, take the lessons learned and try again.. thank you.. I am glad you enjoyed this one.. thank you.

[Einstein Noodle]

in 1969 i bought fish and chips and took that wax paper wrapped greese bucket to fisherman's warf .. sat on a dock of the bay and ate them (fish and chips that is) then i went to golden gate park and chased rainbows .. the song really distracted me .. it is a favorite .. had to listen to the whole thing then read your poem ;)

you are so good at alliteration and rhyme .. this is no exception .. thoroughly enjoyed reading .. such heavy emotive lines .. one can not help but be pulled along .. closing verse full of hope and resolve .. i will take that with me into the day .. so thank you!
E.

[AprilRN1210]

I love the original version of this song, but when I heard this cover, it spoke to me and felt it fit this piece well.. I am glad it took you back to a lovely memory and touched you E... thank you for sharing that treasured memory and for this wonderful review.. It is always so nice to see you my sweet friend.. ((hugs)) to ya...

[hardeep sabharwal]

quote from Dalai lama was brilliant,,
and the work is awesome, while reading I noted that your word choice is perfect and attracts, well done

[AprilRN1210]

Thank you so much for this lovely review, I am glad you enjoyed :)

[ANM]

That is what makes us special we get stronger after pain great poem April!

[AprilRN1210]

Thank you my friend.. indeed we are all special:)

[Fran Marie]

A rather poignant and introspective piece..description in the last verse shows the strengths of this piece, definitely fight and move toward a better light...great pen!

[AprilRN1210]

Thank you Fran.. move towards a better light huh?... why didn't I think of that... lol
I am glad you enjoyed..