~Broke the Mold~

southern strength

“When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways - either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength.”

Dalai Lama

Creepy clouds crowd my brain today

blackened sheep… insane… or led astray?

r e p l a y i n g… estranged thoughts cast away

rearranging… a brave… display.

 

Sittin’ here missin’… wishes… dead and gone

lonely feeling… won’t… leave… me… alone

walls made of thick… Mississippi… stone

r e e l i n g… this heavy heart roams.

 

Fingers lingering on which one to blame

considering inward….what should I say

A f r a i d    of stray pain staking its claim

wandering… when resolve starts to sway.

 

Wondering…. just what… I will find

with nothing left behind… but… time

troubled mind… resigned to define

L O S T… blurring lines you helped design.

 

My spirit… NO longer… your prey

appearance of thunder… kept at bay

h e a l i n g     hope… now… has a home

showing… strength… I’d never known.

 

Deciding despite the damage you have done

the fight of this journey has just begun

s h i n i n g    the light… on the lies… you’ve told

cuz--with this southern soul… they broke… the… mold.

Author's Note

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Reviews

[dan]

April, This is probably my favorite, so far, of your pieces that I reviewed. The wording itself is stunning, chock full of vibrant imagery; but perhaps the singular highlight of this is your PRESENTATION...using different font sizes, italics, ellipses and unorthodox spacing...really serves to place emphasis on the more cogent pieces of text. I don't normally give out ratings of 100 (except in rare instances), but you have earned one. Fantastic write, young lady! take care...dan

[AprilRN1210]

oh my goodness, what a review!.. you have just made my day.. Thank you so much Dan, I appreciate it..

[Tate Morgan]

You are forming a look and feel for your work that is all your own

[AprilRN1210]

Thank you Tate.. it is always an honor when you stop by.. ((hugs)) to you my sweet friend...

[Tate Morgan]

you are welcome

[realmwriter]

This is a very painful lament you have penned here. Very honest and in my way brutal, in such that I am bombarded with feeling of remorse and regret. I am washed with envy and the sting of hypocrisy. But at the end, there is hope, there is perseverance, there is a joy and re kindling of self and spirit. At the end I am cleansed of these stains and washed with a new since of powerful pride in purpose.

[AprilRN1210]

hey Derick!.. thank you for this kind, insightful review.. I always enjoy hearing your thoughts.. nice to see you!... :)

[realmwriter]

You are welcome April. I really did enjoy this side of you. It's nice to see something as powerful as this from your point of view.

[AprilRN1210]

we all have those doubts.. those demons.. those down times.. trying to get out of this "funk".. not always easy.. wasn't easy to share either.. so your support helps.. thank you again Derick...

[realmwriter]

I can't say that I know the funk you're in but I know I've been in one too. Been lookin for a job since I came back to Arkansas in July and still no luck. Supposed to start back to college in January but that's a long time to wait for some form of income. Anyway. Glad to see you trying to get out of it. Even though it is never easy.

[Skai Rain]

This is so sad but holds so much truth. Thank you so much for sharing. You are truly talented.

[AprilRN1210]

Thank you for this kind review. I appreciate it.

[wordman]

and I like the way you exhaust all your reds loved the music

[AprilRN1210]

hmmmm.. I admit.. you have thoroughly confused me with this review.. I am sittin here scratching my head thinking, exhaust all my reds?... I love the original, but she does an awesome cover, I am tickled you enjoyed the music. .thank you

[wordman]

the reds is your anxiety your despair or disappointments with life in general or a particular thing
your professed your pain

[AprilRN1210]

ahhhh, ok... learn somethin new everyday, thank you.. never heard it put that way.. interesting way of lookin at it..

[Sunya]

Really you bring out the deepest feelings in you with such ease :) even though its written in a really sad note, its just really good to know your heart :)
-Sunya

[AprilRN1210]

Hey stranger!!! how the heck are ya!!.. everything ok over there my friend?... It's been a while.. so nice to see you :)
yea.. admit I have been feeling down lately, trying to work through things plaguing my heart and let it speak in this one.. glad you enjoyed it.. thank you!... you added anything on your return?..

[Sunya]

Hi stranger :) I am good and everything ok :D its really nice to 'see' you too
Dont feel low :) enjoy being alive..these feelings are just feelings that will pass :)
No havent added anything new..will soon though..i havent felt so poetic lately :p

[AprilRN1210]

I know how THAT feels... sorry to hear it.. sounds like someone needs to take their own advice :Pread moreI know how THAT feels... sorry to hear it.. sounds like someone needs to take their own advice :P
thank you.. I will if you will, how about that?

[AprilRN1210]

dang site ate my words!.. guess was playing with em too much...
I said....

I know how THAT feels... sorry to hear it.. sounds like someone needs to take their own advice :P
thank you.. I will if you will, how about that?

[Sunya]

Haha yea i just realized today morning that i should take my own advice :) i will so you better do too :D hehe
And thankyou :) your words always make me warm :)

[AprilRN1210]

ok.. I will be checkin in to make sure of that!.. we have a sayin down here, "practice what you preach".. so yep.. I agree if you do:)
you are so sweet.. thank you.. and you're welcome.

[Nusquam Esse]

This was admittedly a painful read for me... the words themselves convey such uncertainty and loss of direction that it tore at me to read it. I am glad that there is a resolution to 'get through' these feelings, to move beyond a past and to test the waters of something uncertain... but at the same time, the sheer pain present in this, it is clear that it will take a long time to abate... As mentioned before, the different font choices seem to spell out multiple conflicting messages when read independently; this really made me appreciate the subtle use of various fonts, I think it is part of what gave this such a conflicting feeling--I think you changed around a few things since I first looked at this, but I am not sure. Hang in there April, keep fighting the past and learn to live in the present, plan for a future, and remember that when that time comes... you can face it with the same tools which help you face the present... strength and tenacity that has got you through every day thus far.

[AprilRN1210]

had such internal conflict and pain in my heart at the time I wrote this, so am tickled it came across as strongly as it did.. I have changed a few things around, you know I can't help it.. I am trying to hang in there, just not easy sometimes.. your support and friendship means a lot and I appreciate it.. thank you :)

[Nusquam Esse]

Well, since it means that much for you... I will be sure to keep being a friend for you, and providing the best support I can. :)

[AprilRN1210]

if not, I will hunt you down, I KNOW there is a chicken underneath that big red dragon suit :P
just sayin... kidding aside, thank you..

[Nusquam Esse]

Hah! For all you know I am like a Turducken... but like... uhh... a chicken in a dragon... but what is inside the chicken? :P

[AprilRN1210]

ok... time for me to shake my head and walk away.... yep... :P

[Alfred Kukitz]

Relatability always makes these nights in soul more tender. Your tenderness, the voice of your words called me into your struggling person.

[AprilRN1210]

oh wow.. thank you... this is one where my heart wanted to speak, so just let go and let it have a turn.. I am sorry you can relate but hope you enjoyed the journey with me..

[Alfred Kukitz]

Very much Thank you!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the journey back from heartbreak is astoundingly difficult and many don't have that fight in them...this poem displays just that...

and there is that feel of mississippi also in this piece....been there several times.

i like how you bring everything back around...dont' leave loose ends.

[AprilRN1210]

don't you wish life was as easy to tie up neatly?.. it is difficult and requires that fight--- to not only survive, but thrive after the storm.. try to put a little of me in each write.. Mississippi may not be much, but it is home.. always such a honor to have you read my work.. thank you Jacob..

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i think mIssissippi is a beautiful state....

and my pleasure....i find your poetry quite different, you have a unique and honest voice.

[AprilRN1210]

it has its moments for those who take the time to look... think that is one of the best compliments I have ever received.. thank you.

[Moonie]

Oh, I am in awe, dear April. This is brilliant! The dark moments when you're about to lose hope....your poem captures the feeling very well. There are so many amazingly witty lines scattered throughout the poem. People don't just read poetry, they savor it with their eyes. The slow seductions your fonts make are truly appealing. My favourite lines would be
"walls made of thick… Mississippi… stone"
I love that the details in the poem (Mississippi stone--who would have thought?) are perfectly balanced by the subtle mysterious vagueness in the poem, the kind of vagueness that provides room for the reader's imagination. Definitely going into my library! :))

[AprilRN1210]

oh my goodness!.. thank you so much!.. this one I let go and let my heart speak what it wanted.. I am glad it spoke to you.. and to your library.. what an honor.. thank you again for this awesome review.. I appreciate it :)

[Moonie]

Ha, no worries, dear! :))

[Pryde Foltz]

Sittin’ here missin’… wishes… dead and gone

lonely feeling… won’t… leave… me… alone

walls made of thick… Mississippi… stone

r e e l i n g… this heavy heart roams.

Now this is a piece I can get into. Everything about it … the wording, the flourishes … really superb work.

[AprilRN1210]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed this one..