Forcasting Rain...........................

 

Hold my umbrella, keep

their words off my head

protect me

from this

cold

hard

acidic rain

as the ridicule falls

it drowns me

with arthritic pain.

 

Can I stand behind you

to hide my face

I cannot show them my light

they might blow it out

making my day 

a darker night.

 

Speak for me please

my mouth cannot open

but I hear their whispers

every word

seams to shrink me smaller

pull me back up

I need your help

to stand a little taller.

Reviews

[Frieda P]

This is an extraordinary write, very deep and personal...someplace in time I think we've all visited at one time or another. We become numb to if we're lucky, then there are those currents of despair that rain upon our soul so wounding. Captivating read.

[Muse]

being taunted and bullied as a child...34 years old now Frieda...but still, when I'm around a group of people I don't know, or around people I went to school with...I feel like I'm ten again...shrinking...shrinking I am.

[Frieda P]

I understand that well, I've never been bullied except by my own father, and I regress quite easily in the face of any kind of connection whatsoever.

[Muse]

my Dad did that too..called me stupid on a regular basis..I guess that's why bullying strikes a sensitive chord with me.

[Frieda P]

oh I got 'idiot' after stupid, how fun eh? That song 'Memories' comes to mind!

[Muse]

better yet....later in life I heard "I think of you and sex" in the same sentence....so he's dead to me now. Even if related by blood...some people cause too much pain to keep them around.

[Muse]

sorry Frieda...sorry for us..and all the dead beat fathers.

[Frieda P]

Same here dear friend, we showed them though, rose above it, most days anyway!

[Muse]

what does not kill us..can only make us stronger...wiser. xo

[Frieda P]

Yes but first it drives us insane! ;-)

[Muse]

I have underestimated the emotional scars..my gawd...after conversing with you briefly..I had to sit in a dark quiet room for a few minutes...regain composure.

[Frieda P]

Sorry, didn't mean to open old wounds. xo

[R J Askew]

We never know how our words will be read by others. I read this poem very personally. I dread ridicule. I listen to my voice on a tape recorder and think 'they will laugh.' This line also resonates with me, 'I cannot show them my light' for precisely the reason you describe, 'they might blow it out.' Of course there comes a point when -- to be true to our creativity -- we have to take the risk and face the prospect of rejection and 'a darker night.' Perhaps, perhaps... Perhaps once we have been rejected and spent time in said 'darker night' we might emerge as the real article, diamond like, rock solid, sure. But there is pain in all this. Again 'speak for me please' resonates also because I can't get my voice to adequately reflect the words I write, in part because of some fear holding me back, the fear of rejection that you describe here. Perhaps there is a companion poem to this one, 'Forecasting Sun...' in which some kind of mad confidence wins the day my not caring what anyone else thinks. Perhaps not to care is what we creative folk need free ourselves from the fear of rejection, and only then can we realise our abilitiess whatever they may be. Your lines made me think they did.

[Lily Mae]

"to stand a little taller"...
Excellent write.. I too can hear the whispers.. every word..xx

[Brad Nugent]

'I need your help to stand a little taller' ---> wow, I think everyone has needed that helping hand before. It is easy to say that self-esteem comes from within, but without that magic umbrella shielding you from those words and that ridicule. This is a powerful piece about a topic that is close to my heart. Well done.

[Coyote Poetry]

I like the artwork and the poem. You create a interesting situation in this poem.
"Speak for me please
my mouth cannot open
but I hear their whispers
every word "
Thank you for the excellent poem.
Coyote

[Dream Weaver]

Seams should be "seems" I think, Other than that
a splendidly written piece.

[nothingnothingforgetfor..]

Never fun drowning in other peoples ridicule or when your arm gets tired holding up the umbrella when its pouring. Always nice to have someone hold it up. =) Beautiful

[TheElfPrincess]

Wonderfully written, an amazing piece of writing. Well done.

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

keep their words off my head and away from my heart. Please don't let their darkness near my light......beautiful piece!

[KimLove "The Beautiful ..]

I love this Muse... I can completly relate. xoxo

[joshua deathdealer]

I absolutely love this Muse. A beautiful way of expressing fears to a lover perhaps...excellent work.