life
is precarious enough
for everyone
but
for those perceived
as towers of strength
the courageous
the strong
the ones who make things alright
when everything goes awry
the door
the stranger instinctively
knocks on out of 100
when help is wanted
i feel for them
and their solitary struggle
these marvels of generosity
drained and never repleted
don't be fooled by the umbrella
tiptoe dancing through the clouds
their world is not mary poppins
and in spite of
the numerous affirmations
nowadays
that no one is alone
help is always at hand
these tight rope dancers
with no safety nets
find themselves
battling the storms alone
when they are born
their guardian angels
still disappointed
by lot's wife's performance
imprint a set of instructions
on their newborn brains
to give them a chance
of survival
never look back
keep going
keep going
keep going
no matter what
they do
i've known them
i walk in their shadows
never being able
to walk in their shoes
Midweek Motif - Poets United
Now I'm wondering just whom you had in mind ...:)
ReplyDeleteOh this is powerful.........those imprinted with difficulty at birth....(I am likely one of them, LOL), and I especially love the closing lines, the walking in their shadows because you cannot walk in their shoes. The dance of survival is a tricky business.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting viewpoint presented on the uncertainties of life.
ReplyDeleteArresting image, and much food for thought in your poem.
ReplyDeleteI like the image of the dead tip toeing on tight rope with Mary Poppins umbrellas.
ReplyDeletethis is a heartfelt tribute to the "....tight rope dancers / with no safety nets / find themselves / battling the storms alone"...a powerful write...
ReplyDeleteMy new favorite of all your poems!
ReplyDelete"i feel for them
and their solitary struggle
these marvels of generosity
drained and never repleted"
You may be seen by others as out in front, neither in someone else's footsteps nor in their shadow.
A very thought provoking poem.
ReplyDeleteGosh this is such a powerful rendition. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that walking in their shadows not in their shoes may well be better...resilience is not all triumphant ..most certainly a tightrope walk
ReplyDeleteGreat ending - never filling the shoes, only the shadows.
ReplyDeleteWalking a tight rope one would hope there is a net as in life we all fall at some point. We all walk our own journey in life, sometimes we have help and sometimes it is solo.
ReplyDeleteI think this one is rich with wisdom..
The harder your growing up the better able you are able to cope with the slings and arrows of life. I have never liked umbrellas so hopefully weathering the storms will be easier.
ReplyDeleteNailed it. The strong stoics drop "unexpectedly" and people are surprised. But most people are looking inwards, not outwards, and never see the other's despair. Not waving, drowning, it seems.
ReplyDeleteI think this is my favourite of your pieces read. The aha moment chimes in as read verse after verse
ReplyDeleteMuch love...
Even the strong are allowed to feel weak and to need support, yes...
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, Rall...this is so poignant and insightful. The reference to Lot's wife and the way you linked that to a set of instructions for newborns....... utter brilliance! And that last stanza is just so emotionally stunning. I LOVE this one :-)
ReplyDelete