"Though if I'd stopped to think, I would have known
You were never one to share - a burden or a prize"
The above lines feels very kind towards the "you"--not mean, not snarky, not dismissive--just an observation of the truth. It's sad but also feels like the speaker is okay. I love how visual this poem is, with the yoke and the oxen.
"The above lines feels very kind towards the "you"" - That's interesting. I think I'm glad it comes across that way. Do you find yourself writing about the same things over and over again, like a kind of purge, in hopes of getting them out of your system? Exorcising demons? Just f***ing letting go of them, already?? Me? No, I never do that. 😜
😁 I seem to only have a handful of things to write about for sure.
Here’s the thing: I feel the sting of the speaker and how they must feel to have been left behind by this person, but I also don’t see the speaker as wallowing in vindictive thoughts. So maybe “very kind” is a stretch, but sometimes it feels like neutrality can be a kinder choice. But my sleep is garbage lately, so I’m not sure I’m making sense 🤪
I really like what you've done here... That sense of not being good enough at friendship, either in person, or in words. But there you go again, saying it perfectly and with such nuance and eye for detail.
Oh—thank you, Tara. I felt a little flat doing this one, partly because it’s been a rough week. But I found myself thinking about friendship a lot after writing it.
"Though if I'd stopped to think, I would have known
You were never one to share - a burden or a prize"
The above lines feels very kind towards the "you"--not mean, not snarky, not dismissive--just an observation of the truth. It's sad but also feels like the speaker is okay. I love how visual this poem is, with the yoke and the oxen.
"The above lines feels very kind towards the "you"" - That's interesting. I think I'm glad it comes across that way. Do you find yourself writing about the same things over and over again, like a kind of purge, in hopes of getting them out of your system? Exorcising demons? Just f***ing letting go of them, already?? Me? No, I never do that. 😜
😁 I seem to only have a handful of things to write about for sure.
Here’s the thing: I feel the sting of the speaker and how they must feel to have been left behind by this person, but I also don’t see the speaker as wallowing in vindictive thoughts. So maybe “very kind” is a stretch, but sometimes it feels like neutrality can be a kinder choice. But my sleep is garbage lately, so I’m not sure I’m making sense 🤪
My heart is warm with the friends I make
.
I have a hard time with friends sometimes.
I’m not a hugger. I’m not good at good words
spoken out loud; I prefer the written kind
but even then, I stumble. I rely
on emoticons to let people know
that I hope I am harmless to them.
.
Still, I’m glad for my friends. For the friend
who kept me afloat during my darkest depression.
I should tell her that it feels like she saved my life.
My friend who sent a “Thankful Thursday” list
back and forth with me every week for years,
digging for the good. For the friend
whose deadpan humor and deep faith
makes me feel safe. For the dog
who says nothing, but loves me each day
without asking for anything back.
I really like what you've done here... That sense of not being good enough at friendship, either in person, or in words. But there you go again, saying it perfectly and with such nuance and eye for detail.
Oh—thank you, Tara. I felt a little flat doing this one, partly because it’s been a rough week. But I found myself thinking about friendship a lot after writing it.