If you could see
What I see
In those moments when
You're most vulnerable
You might recognize
Through the haze
Of your sadness
There is something within you
The word beautiful
Fails to describe
I've heard you cry out
For nothing more
Than the most basic
Of human needs
To be touched
In a way
Where you are seen
To be held
In a way
Where you are heard
To be safe
From all this
Which has been given you
To hear those words
This is not your fault
Such things
Are not much to ask
If I could give them
To you, I would
Over and over
A thousand times a day
But like you
I've never known
These things
You'd think in this
We'd find common ground
But it's exactly
What keeps us apart
For how do we give
What we've never known
How do we share
What's never been shown
And how can we love
That which we fail to see
Like this:
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Beautifully constructed!
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Thank you.
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I feel that. In a relationship, we want a connection so badly, but a distance is ahead, and we never touch.
Thank you for sharing!
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Too often times true. Thank you for reading.
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Thank you for writing! How are you doing otherwise?
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I’m doing well, how about yourself?
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I’m okay as well. Yesturday, I was a bag of emotions. Other then that, focusing on my personal values. What has been keeping you busy these days?
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Oh, just day to day life stuff. Also working on my next poetry collection. Almost finished.
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I Think what we perceive is this connection will occur with every newfound relationship but this just isn’t reality… We in turn fall back to the starting line…
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Yeah, that’s how it goes. For instance, I hope to God 🙏 that we all will be set on the track and find our happiness.
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Yes, that is very often the case.
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Very thought provoking. So how do we know we don’t have? And more to the point, how do we get what we don’t know?
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Good questions. If I ever figure it out I’ll let you know. Thanks for reading.
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This is so beautiful River.
Hands open, Hearts open searching for the place we can only find within ourselves…..searching each others eyes and bodies and words, hoping they might hold the answer we are looking for.
Arms open, raw aching, the collective human howl…..we step forward alone, the only way out …. is in.
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Thank you so much!
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When I read this, I felt like I was having deja vu, but then I realized it is in your book Colder :). I have read it!
There is something within you
The word beautiful
Fails to describe
I have found that word, must be strength. Strength to endure the pain and beauty life brings each of us. The more I live the more I think they are one in the same.
Thank you for all of what you share, it’s so strong!
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Thank you, that means a lot to me that you have read my book. You are right, when pain is examined at a different angle or through a different lens, there is beauty in there. And hope.
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You’re so welcome, the pleasure was all mine, and hope always hope :). You have to be careful with hope, it can create expectations…that can lead to disappointment after disappointment. I’ve been working on hope with no parameters…here’s to living and learning 💔.
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You make some good points. Thanks again.
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💜
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This is a masterpiece, River. A searingly insightful representation of human frailty and the need for contact and intimacy. It’s all too easy to feel alone these days, and we could all do with some emotional common ground. 🙂
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Thanks, Alli. For sure. I wonder why it is though that the things which we share in common are often the very same things which keep us apart?
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It is indeed a very good question, River. I’ve pondered over this and your poem over a nice big cup of tea this morning, and I wonder whether it’s down to a sense of vulnerability in all of us, a sense of self-preservation. Are we all too scared to reach out for fear of being hurt or rejected, even though underneath that’s what all we need as humans? If that is the case, that we’re all too scared of getting our fingers burnt, it’s a real shame, and a sad indictment on the state of humanity; that we’ve developed an inability to trust that gestures of warmth towards others won’t be rejected. Just a thought… 🙂
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I agree with what you say here. I’m sure for a lot of people, it is a defense mechanism. Rejection is painful, for sure. But so is being alone (at times).
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Very true, River. And therein lies the irony…
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When I read this from the book, I thought, “He really nailed it here. This is something everyone needs to see, to hear.” Some much more than others.
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Thank you very much, that means a lot to me.
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Beautiful..But I have a question. Why is your poem always filled pain and lack of hope?
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I have some pieces that may come across as dark and dismal, but I feel that a lot of what I write has an underlying theme of hope. Recognizing, exposing, and dissecting the pain often gives birth to hope.
Thank you for reading and for the question.
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Wow..thank you for your reply..Your idea of hope is awesome..never thought of it like that
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You’re welcome. Also, I have found that sometimes when I read about other people’s pain/negative experiences, that I can relate and maybe have felt/experienced similar things. That gives me hope because it shows me that I am not alone. So many people feel alone and feel they cannot relate to others. That simple realization, that we are not alone and someone, somewhere understands me, is a powerful thing.
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Absolutely River..I really wanted to know all of this from you..
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Poignant.
So often we feel alienated and misunderstood. We think we’re special and no one can understand. More often than not the other person CAN. Shutting them out is not a good idea.
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Exactly. Thank you.
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Absolutely wonderful, River. Truly touching.
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Thank you, Rita. You are always so supportive.
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You’re welcome. I hope to be. You are a truly gifted writer, River.
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Beautiful and touching as always! I feel I am repeating myself here 😊
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Beautiful and touching as always! I feel I am repeating myself here 😊
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I appreciate that, thank you.
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Absolutely beautiful. I still remember the emotion I experienced the first time I read this when it met me right where I was at and created a bit of awe and wonder within me. Your words are profound, deep and necessary. Still a favorite.
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Necessary. I don’t think I’ve ever been told that before. Thank you.
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It’s something I truly believe.
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I found this wonderful on so many levels, River. That feeling of knowing what’s needed but not knowing how to get it done, especially when the stakes are so high…the pain is palpable in your words.
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Thank you, Agyani.
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🙂
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Very true, life is so ironic
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Yes, it is. Thank you, Judy.
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You’re welcome River, your poem is very healing to read.
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I’m reminded that connections are crucial but also difficult. Always happy to see a new post from you.
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They sure can be. Thank you for reading.
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Wonderful.
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Thank you.
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OMG you killed me with that second stanza, River. Just wow!
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Thank you very much, Susi.
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😁
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Brilliant as always. These are exactly the words I wish I could have poured out to a dear friend of mine recently who decided I wasn’t going to be her dear friend.
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That’s unfortunate. Maybe she’ll change her mind.
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Thanks, I highly doubt that. You couldn’t have said it any better:
‘You’d think in this
We’d find common ground
But it’s exactly
What keeps us apart
For how do we give
What we’ve never known’
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I’ve seen it happen so many times. Hell, I’m guilty of it myself.
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☹️
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beautiful poetry, snd what a brilliant way to end.
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Thank you very much.
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Beautiful in its empathy, tenderness. Melancholy in its longing. This is a lovely heart touching piece, River.
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Thank you, Meg. I hope Ireland is treating you well.
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Thanks, River. Yes, I’m settling in well. Short days and long nights ahead though – it’s the one aspect that I’m not looking forward to!
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I agree.
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Oh, River…
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This is too beautiful for me to find the words to describe. Your words say it all:
“If you could see
What I see
In those moments when
You’re most vulnerable
You might recognize
Through the haze
Of your sadness
There is something within you
The word beautiful
Fails to describe”
It’s those moments where we’re most vulnerable that to hear this would be…. like a healing balm for a chapped heart.
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Thank you for reading and for the kind words.
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Exquisite 💖 Absolutely wonderful
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Thank you!
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This is extraordinarily beautiful, River. As usual, your emotions shine through clearly: both your desire to help and your regret at not being able to.
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Thanks, Josh.
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No problem!
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truly the conundrum most difficult to overcome
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Thanks for reading, Mark.
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Such an emotional piece. I loved the way you ended it. Life is not always a happy ending. Well done!
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Thank you, Leigha.
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You’re welcome.
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This is beautiful!
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Thank you, Lisa.
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Seriously my favorite so far.
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Thank you so much!
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This reads like a story. I keep wanting to turn the page.
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Thank you, Bryan.
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Beautifully penned River… It goes skin deep…. Sometimes one so close can feel so far away…
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Yeah, maybe because we are the one so far away. Thank you for reading, Monica.
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Hi you got removed from my followers pls follow and give me views. Pls
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Thank you for the share!
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Touching, intimate and poignant! Lovely!
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Thank you, Sharon.
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Wow …
Beautiful.
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Thank you!
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Nailed this feeling. I’ve got someone in mind for this, heck I’ve got a handle full of em. Nice work.
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Thank you.
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You have me crying like a child, River. To know you understand this is as heartbreaking as knowing it’s true about …my friend. We’re all walking each other home, a quote Ram Das said. I never read him, but that line speaks to me. Home to me is the place inside where we find healing — and each other. Wherever that is, it’s real. Thank you for writing this. It is now my favorite.
♥.
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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you very much.
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My pleasure, truly. You’re most welcome. ♥.
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Just beautiful!
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Thank you, Candice.
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I love this, for all of the reasons others have said.
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Thank you so much!
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“How do we share what’s never been shown.” Beautiful words River!
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Thank you very much!
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Very beautifully done! ❤
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Thank you!
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There is always that time when we close our eyes. Your expression of art is amazingly emotive….ty for sharing as you do.
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Thank you so much for reading and for the kind words.
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This was amazing 💚really enjoyed reading!
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Thank you so much!
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That’s… beautiful!
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Thank you, Resa.
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A-M-A-Z-I-N-G 🖒
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Thank you.
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Wow, this was so hauntingly melancholy and deeply beautiful.
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Thank you very much.
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Beautiful.
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Thank you, Stephanie.
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