One Simple Question

If you'd only ask...you'd finally know.

If you were to stop

And ask one simple question

One tiny

But effective

Question

 

I pray you’d ask,

“What do you feel?”

 

The hidden ramifications

In those four powerful words

Could hold enough weight

To ignite passions once interred.

 

But loves fickle follies

And the masculine counterpart

To my delicate heart

Seem terrified

Of what lurks beneath the answer,

To this simple little question.

 

And yet, a life of fear

Is no life at all

The motto I declared:

Live for each moment…

Or don’t live at all.

 

If you were to stop

And ask one simple question

One tiny

But effective

Question

 

I pray you’d ask

            “What do you feel?”

 

For in your arms

I know the truth

I need to feel

Help me bring these walls of mine

Crashing to the ground

And in that moment

Truly lived

You’ll know

Just what I feel.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading. Reviews always welcome.

Reviews

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Very poignant, and hits home with me. "What do you feel?"...a seemingly simple question, but I have been with men that would absolutely never be able to ask, nor answer this little, tiny, easy question. Me, I could write volumes on how I feel, and yet it seems that I always end up with male counterparts who cannot.

This reminds me of something that I was telling to an ex at one point...he said "you know I love you", but I said "how do I know?" "Do you tell me, not just in those three words, but in an expressive way that I can actually hold on to that shows you know how I FEEL?" The power of understanding and being understood is fathomless. Well done write...one of your best.

[Kristin Lee]

I love my husband but he is terrified of feelings lol. And it's so true, if he just asked me, instead of always guessing at elast then I could try to express to him in my own words what it is I'm feeling...instead of assumptions lingering between us. And it goes for all relationships.

Thank you so much for the great review, it means so much!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

It seems that most men are. Oddly enough, we are better with feelings and compassion, and yet men largely rule the world...it's time for a take over. haha

[Jack...]

Kristin, your poem this morning was a Godsend to me. This is the perfect question. I am so happy you sent this to me. Very good indeed.

[Kristin Lee]

Thanks Jack. I'm glad it was just what you needed :)

[Astro]

There are very few moments when you can truly be you and give yourself up to someone and not be afraid. To discard barriers and masks and look across at someone who sees you but understands you and will stand by you. Gentle voices whisper in this one kiddo.

[Kristin Lee]

This is very true. And the rarity of letting that edge down...Gentle voices whisper is a great way to put it :)

[Astro]

Only with piercing clarity would I see to the heart of your words.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

if we don't feel, we don't live.

we go through life sometimes with a suit of armor around our heart...past pain doesn't necessarily mean..there can't be love...if we just let ourselves.."feel"--

it was like in emily dickinson's day...so many people died of consumption...many young friends of emily died from it...and as one poet stated..."in those days when you asked, 'how are you today' you meant it...

because many wouldn't be around tomorrow...i wish today we could mean it.

[Kristin Lee]

YES! It drives me nuts when people give you a generic answer to a sincere question. Or worse yet, they cut you off half way through your answer as if they never intended to ask you how you were doing in the first place. But then if you give them the same generic answer they look at you as if they want more. Its infuriating. I too, wish people could mean what they say. Words are powerful and have such attachment to our emotions. I think people in general have forgotten than.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

An intriguing piece that exposes the difference between most men and women. So glad I am in touch with my feminine side lol!
One suggestion as the word question seems a little overly used is to alter this stanza:

But loves fickle follies
And the masculine counterpart
To my delicate heart
Seem terrified
Of what lurks beneath the answer,
Were you to inquire.

[Kristin Lee]

haha, being in touch with both sides can definitely be something to be thanksful for.

I appreciate the suggestion, it is definitely food for thought....