tiptoe

you write
when there are words,
and when there are none,
you wait.

it’s the silence that drives you mad,
despite its claim to necessary.

you run
when you are able,
and when your muscles fail,
you sit.

it is inertia that holds you hostage,
the resting that reclaims you.

you sob
when there are tears,
and when they’ve run their course,
you inhale.

it is the cleansing that keeps you whole,
a release to fix your broken.

you laugh
when there is joy,
and as the world reveals its soul,
you smile.

it is the hug you offer humanity
that gives you back your own.

you live
when there is life,
and with each breath,
you appreciate.

it is dawn that keeps you wondering,
as you watch the night unfold.

:
this post is part of one shot wednesday

27 Responses to “tiptoe”

  • Skye Says:

    Lovely, Kelly!! And the last 2 lines seem to speak to so many things in the human soul…

  • lucyfurleaps Says:

    Yes! Another transaction x

  • beth Says:

    sheesh kelly…..you are SO good !

  • brian Says:

    lovely write…there is a time for everything…its in know when that time is so you can seize it…it is the hug i give humanity…i like that…and the silence does drive me crazy…

  • Kathryn Says:

    This post felt so close to home, thank you for such beautiful words.

  • Liz Says:

    I LOVE this, like get naked and roll around in it, LOVE. So beautiful, so you.

  • Brooke Farmer Says:

    I love this. You live when there is life. Beautiful line.

  • Timoteo Says:

    Poignant…love the last two lines.

  • Tiger Windwalker Says:

    I love the form that you chose-assertion(statement) and then the deeper truth (elaboration). Almost like “call” and “response”. Sets up a nice circular rhythm in the poem. Haven’t seen that used much. Maybe I’ll try.

    But that’s all the left brain stuff. The guts of this poem speak to me deeply. And I believe that you are a perceptive and accurate participant / observer of Life. Every nugget rings true for my chronology and I am no “spring chicken”. The last part is elusively suggestive. To me, after appreciation and gratitude, what keeps us going is our curiosity–that restless inquiry into the Nature of Creation.

    I love the utter simplicity of your poem as it transports us to deeper understandings.

    Two Thumbs Up

    OneLove–Tiger Windwalker

  • Tiger Windwalker Says:

    By the way, people who openly claim mediocrity are often not.
    But it got me to your site. Ah, you devilish thing.

    Tiger (again)♡

  • Kelly Says:

    Kelly, your poem is so beautiful; I love it! Every stanza is solid but what speaks to me the most is:
    it is the hug you offer humanity
    that gives you back your own.

    I have been synthesizing this sentiment internally for some time and really trying to manifest it outwardly. It’s a tall order as there are many distractions such as fears and all the lignering -isms that have yet to fade, but I do believe it’s a worthy goal to strive for in life — embracing humanity is what will see us through the next generations.

  • christine Says:

    Wow, that was breathtaking. I especially liked the “cleansing that keeps you whole’, that is so true.

  • Steve Isaak Says:

    Solid, semi-chatty, emotionally-effective work.

  • Cristina Says:

    I often don’t know what to comment because it seems so redundant compared to everyone else. Of course I love it all and it profoundly speaks to me. But above all else, it’s you and more. And that’s why I love it so.

  • Erin Says:

    Beautiful, and really exactly what I needed today.. These words speak to me more than you could ever know.

  • Chantal Says:

    great words and dito photos

  • Stereo Says:

    Saving this for those rainy days when I need to remember that there is a little bit of sunshine coming and that all I need to do is wait. a perfect reminder. As always, Kelly.

  • pete marshall Says:

    i wanted to tweet this on out but you dont have a tweet button…i enjoyed this..very serene and smoothly written/read..cheers pete

  • Bob D. Says:

    Very, very cool.

  • Ben Says:

    I like it a lot! This poem is full of feeling. I especially like the wrap up, leaving us with a sense of hope and expectation.

  • Kate Says:

    I feel as though this were written just for me. How do you do that? It ever ceases to amaze me.

    Ok, except for the part about running. But still – I love this.

  • eliza Says:

    read this this morning, at my desk with cup of tea, and feel like crying; not because i’m particularly sad, but it’s been a tough couple weeks, particularly so, and have a slipped disk and feeling sorry for myself, and a friend was killed recently and and and…you know how it is! and i read your words and they are just so beautiful and actually, they make me feel better!! thank you.

  • Marcie Says:

    Deep sigh…
    Some words beg no more words to be added. Yours are some of those!

  • Noel Says:

    Yes. When everything else is upside down, these are the truths that get us through.

  • Krista Says:

    Your poetry is so beautiful, as are the images you create.

  • Jingle Poetry Says:

    wise words..
    beautiful message..

    Please feel free to share 1 to 3 poems with our potluck poetry today, first time participants could use old poems or poems unrelated to our theme, Thanks..
    Happy Monday!

  • Barbara S. Says:

    So moving and beautiful, Kelly. This one really spoke to me. Thank you!

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