Who Am I To Say

Poetry Friday logo by Linda Mitchell

Happy Poetry Friday, and welcome! Whether you’re a regular or a newbie, I’m happy you’re here. (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)

One of the many things I love about writing poetry is that it’s a great place to put painful and difficult emotions. This is a poem I wrote quite a while ago, but I’m just getting around to sharing.

 

And for lots of wonderful (and probably less rage-filled) poetry, don’t miss the Poetry Friday Roundup with writer and connector and thoughtful post-er Tabatha Yeatts at the Opposite of Indifference.

28 Responses

    1. Thank you, Michelle. Hugs to you. Sometimes the price of speaking up just feels way too high. It did feel good to at least put the emotion somewhere, though!

  1. That sounds like the prologue for a murder mystery 🙂 Someone who seems great, but motives just keep popping up…
    I especially like “I smile and repeat the meaningless lie/or watch my dreams go spiraling by.”

    1. Wow–a murder mystery! Guess I got my feelings out in even bigger fashion than I intended. Thank you–I think admitting that I repeat the lie (and who knows, maybe I’m the only one to feel it’s a lie) was the really hard thing to write in this poem.

    1. Hehe–well, it’s fun that leaning into the negative emotions (briefly!) resulted in a poem that people can feel those emotions rolling out. Strongly. :>D

  2. Your poem deeply conveys the angst of relationships, Laura. Sadly, it can be like that more than we wish.

    1. Yep…and this was another deeply emotional poem about the kidlit industry. Not about a personal relationship. But the emotions resulting from those relationships can feel just as personal.

    1. I usually look for a beautiful visual, but I was all in on the ugliness on this one. I can barely look at those worms.

  3. Lots of feelings in that poem, Laura. And I agree, poetry is a good place to get everything out. I admire your bravery to make it public.

    1. Thanks, Rose. It’s hard sharing ugly or negative poems. I don’t want to do it a ton, but I have some saved up that I’ll mostly share on my blog over the summer when teachers aren’t using it as much :>D

  4. Laura, wow. Thank you for sharing your poem. I like that along with the rage and unfairness of it all, you used some playful rhymes and meter. It makes it easier. The lightening of the font on “But who am I to say that?” is so effective. And you said it, so that makes you the powerful one.

    1. Thank you, Denise, and…yes! Why had I not already embraced it? It’s not just a relief and a release to put the emotions in a poem. Also, choosing the words and making them public–it does make me feel powerful a little bit. Not over other people, but just over my own feelings and words. What another side benefit–thank you for pointing that out to me!

  5. Oof! Everyone says? But the truth is in the worms in the dirt. Poetry is a great place to release these mixed up feelings. But who am I to say that? (Great tag line.)

    1. Thank you, Margaret. I think I meant to use the tag a third time but lost track :>D

  6. I read and reread this powerful poem. There is a lot of big feeling. I really like the worm photo that goes with ie.

    1. Disgusting, right? I don’t even know were the porcelain teeth came from. A veneer of generosity? Veneers=fake teeth? Just for show? Not sure how I got there, but it felt right somehow. But those and the worms…you can’t help but picture the teeth chewing them. Gross.

  7. Here’s to the ones who gather all their courage and say the things that need to be said. Speak truth to power and work tirelessly for justice!

    1. Yep, so in awe of whistle blowers and people who speak the truth–publicly, naming names, not cloaked in poetry. They do it to help others and at risk to themselves. Maybe someday I’ll be that brave!

  8. Oof, powerful, Laura! I feel the anger and frustration at feeling silenced, and gritting your (authentic) teeth through a maddening circumstance. We can all fill in the blanks with something from our own lives, I’m sure!

    1. It’s too bad that we can all fill in the blank, isn’t it? Thanks, Karen!

  9. Laura, You make me understand that a true poet is willing to reveal the real — even when it’s hard. Thank you for your courage.

    1. It’s funny that it’s hard even when I take the easier route and don’t actually name anybody…Thanks, Patricia!

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