Joined: 17 Sep 2006
Posts: 1025
Location: that tragic backwater, the gulf coast of florida
Gentle With Your Courage
You don't know how I am charmed by your asymmetry
That I appreciate how you love me with a limp
You think I'm tender with your fear out of some sympathy
And your fragility is what makes me sensitive.
You are mistaken in your read,
And if you're convinced that's what you need
Then I am sure to disappoint.
You cannot have pity from me.
But there is this:
I will be gentle with your courage.
You think I’m kind to you because you're delicate
I see it, but that isn’t why I’m here.
You get kindness because that’s just what I’m serving
You don’t have to earn it with your tears,
Or credentials of the years of treasured traumas
And the narrative of how it’s kept you small.
I come around to see you come around them
With your limping love, and clapping laugh and all.
And I bring this:
I will be gentle with your courage.
I have seen enough of mollycoddled injuries.
The tiresome tyrannies of lasting fears
That confuse a scar with permanent disability
And then live accordingly for years.
I will not feed the brokenness of brokenness
But I will bundle up and nurture what will heal
I’ll nourish what you grow anytime you choose to sow
A wholeness you make real.
Believe in this:
I will be gentle with your courage. _________________ -
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"...a soul that wakes up to find itself wandering, unwanted, between the spheres."
Last edited by ae on Sat Jul 06, 2013 2:42 am; edited 1 time in total
Sun Jun 27, 2010 8:43 pm
BdeCaunteton
Joined: 07 Jan 2007
Posts: 955
Location: Iowa City, IA
... _________________ “It would be a pity of lesbians and gay men retreated into the same kind of cultural separatism. " - Jeanette Winterson
www[dot]bdecauntetonspoetry[dot]webs[dot]com
Last edited by BdeCaunteton on Sun Aug 23, 2020 7:18 am; edited 1 time in total
Sun Jun 27, 2010 9:50 pm
Eilidh Moderators
Joined: 09 Apr 2005
Posts: 1880
ae,
I appreciate not only the courage, but also the wisdom portrayed in this poem.
You have a sharp eye for characters and for life itself.
Well done.
~Eilidh
Sun Jun 27, 2010 10:51 pm
melons Site Admin
Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 2371
((((((ae))))))
I would place this alongside one of my all time favourites 'Will you be my friend' by J. Kavanaugh.
Your poem is an absolutely wonderful poem and a pleasure to read.......I read it twice out loud to Cat on the phone
luv'n'hugs,
Melx
Sun Jun 27, 2010 10:57 pm
MysteryGirl Moderators
Joined: 02 Jun 2007
Posts: 3419
Location: I come from a land downunder
Sigh, dear ae....it would seem that once again I am compelled to resume my customary position........stretched out at your feet, in awe. Not only of your ability to fashion the words and place them, just so, on the page, that alone is enough. But today at your perceptiveness, the ability to look through and past the shields and defences the emotionally/physically injured hold up to the world. Your sight is kind, but also keen and reading this made me shiver along with my smile....
I have seen enough of mollycoddled injuries.
The tiresome tyrannies of lasting fears
That confuse a scar with permanent disability
Then live accordingly for years.
....and look within and wonder........
Really good poetry makes us feel.....and that which is even better again, makes us feel and think.......but the very best makes us feel, think and wish to make a change, whether that be in the world at large or just within ourselves. With this poem you have done the last.
Bravo my friend, bravo.
HugZ, MG _________________ Be yourself.............everybody else is taken!
Last edited by MysteryGirl on Tue May 27, 2014 9:23 am; edited 1 time in total
Mon Jun 28, 2010 12:14 am
ae
Joined: 17 Sep 2006
Posts: 1025
Location: that tragic backwater, the gulf coast of florida
Oh, my goodness.
What generous and loving comments, all around. I am humbled. I so treasure you all. Thank you. _________________ -
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"...a soul that wakes up to find itself wandering, unwanted, between the spheres."
Sat Jul 10, 2010 3:47 am
Cavewoman
Joined: 06 Sep 2005
Posts: 2056
Location: nearby
_________________ " The sorcerers in life are created within each of us" --- Lynn V. Andrews
Sun Jul 11, 2010 2:21 am
smart_cookie
Joined: 12 Aug 2006
Posts: 2310
Location: USA
leans against the wall, says,
"S'ok I guess"
and pops gum.
Actually, I've been reading your poems now for several years, and your skills have increased. This is not to say I didn't love your writing from the start, because i did. You've left the Ordinary Brand in the dust, wayyyy back there down the road.
In this poem, I especially like "I appreciate how you love me with a limp" and "You get kindness because that’s just what I’m serving." I also like the point you drive home about scars not being permanent limitations.
Have I ever mentioned that your poetry is stuffed with courage, the topics you take on and the things you're bold enough to put on the page? Because it is.
Sun Jul 11, 2010 11:02 am
ae
Joined: 17 Sep 2006
Posts: 1025
Location: that tragic backwater, the gulf coast of florida
You're hilarious, Cookie. I can totally picture the stance. And I very much appreciate the comment. I just luvs ya.
_________________ -
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"...a soul that wakes up to find itself wandering, unwanted, between the spheres."
Tue Jul 13, 2010 6:15 pm
MysteryGirl Moderators
Joined: 02 Jun 2007
Posts: 3419
Location: I come from a land downunder
BUMP!!!
It was one year ago today that this incredible little GEM of a poem, which just may be the most beautiful thing ever written on Mels, appeared on our screens.
If you haven't read it before, you are in for pure delight. If you have, then it is more than worth re-visiting.
ae, just thought I would let you know that my scar is NOT going to be a permanent disability. _________________ Be yourself.............everybody else is taken!
Tue Jun 28, 2011 12:24 am
brachingritualz
Joined: 31 Mar 2007
Posts: 248
Every word is brilliant and feels personally written for me in all my damage, permanent or not. So few writers have such talent, come out of your sabbatical and feed us more.... _________________ shemovesme.wordpress.com
Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:06 pm
MysteryGirl Moderators
Joined: 02 Jun 2007
Posts: 3419
Location: I come from a land downunder
BUMP.....another year along. Still one of my favourites.
ae... wish you were here darling.
HugZ, MG _________________ Be yourself.............everybody else is taken!
Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:29 am
ae
Joined: 17 Sep 2006
Posts: 1025
Location: that tragic backwater, the gulf coast of florida
K--
I think it WAS written for you, love.
But you and so many others. i just think that what in some becomes a disability, for you is a sort of hobby. And it makes for some smashing poetry, so on ya go, girl. Your angst is our gain.
And Noni... I am so proud of you and so cheered to hear it. Seldom have I seen a more torturous situation. All so wrong and unjust. I just cried and cried for you. What a heroine you are.
ae _________________ -
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"...a soul that wakes up to find itself wandering, unwanted, between the spheres."
Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:07 am
melons Site Admin
Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 2371
((((((((ae))))))))))
I still love this poem and it's great to see you back
Luv'n'hugs,
Melx
Tue Feb 05, 2013 10:25 pm
MysteryGirl Moderators
Joined: 02 Jun 2007
Posts: 3419
Location: I come from a land downunder
ae... no heroine here sweetie. But I have crawled into holes and wailed, crawled out and gone a bit further, retired yet again to lick my wounds, wandered a bit further, been blindsided and sideswiped, but somehow I am still here...so glad to see you again.
HugZ, MG _________________ Be yourself.............everybody else is taken!
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