This Damn Thorn

This Damn Thorn

a poem by Chris T.

 

A perfect plan detoured

An objective thwarted

My strength of foundation chipped

Like the salt soaked rain cracks concrete

Motivation slowly ebbs

 

My inner circle begins to notice the weakness in my armour

Little places for arrows to find its home

A brave face plastered on for the souls around me

Few see the real inner struggle

Nights of pain and swelling

 

I pull a thorn, another emerges

If I could cut you, I would twist my crysknife deep 

I would stand against you and take your water

But you are unseen

You remove little bits of life while I sleep

 

The crows gather and speak ill of me

Their words alight on the branches of half-truths

The daily grind is more arduous and cruel

Each day a small victory

Each moment lived is bone weary

 

Before this life-war, I gave to so many

Where are you; you takers of me

Why do you hide in my time of need

Why do your words of comfort fall short of my ears

Still I am not taken over by hate

 

Oh thorn, I will not lie down

You will have to take from my fist my chosen word

I will punch, claw, kick, elbow and finally bite

Until my teeth are broken and can find no purchase

I will not let you steal what you have not earned

 

My fingers will pluck your pricks from my flesh

Each day, each moment I will place one more step in front of another

I will run my race

Maybe not to win; but to finish, yes to finish

You will never have my treasure

And you efforts will be expelled

 

 

I will make my muscles rigid to push your pain from my tissue to fall from me forever

Author's Note

This is one of my oldest poems. Do you think you can tell the difference between my newer work(The Tree That's Rooted In You) and this old piece? Great to hear comments!

Reviews

[FJ Davis]

Powerful--indeed, stunning piece!
As for "takers" of you, they have mostly served to strengthen your spiritual development; bring you closer to the never-disappointing Lord. It has always been just God and you; inhabiting a personal internal universe.
And, from what I can see, Chris, finishing your race is winning.
May God heal protect and bless you.

[*~*Butterfly Kisses*~*]

Outstanding. Truly inspring.

[Sakib]

Great piece. Well crafted and full of wisdom. I enjoyed it a lot. :)

[Beautifully Tragic xPoe..]

Powerful, emotional piece. I loved the darkness in this. Great write, Chris. This one is a favorite.

[Don Shaw]

Great work. Yes i can see the maturity of writing here. I also looked at pieces i wrote over twenty years ago and the difference is amazing. Not only do we mature and individuals , but as writers .Awesome write my friend.

[SoulCrusader (Yas)]

Such awesome wisdom and evokes one to look at themselves and has one thinking, a terrific poem :)