Filling the Emptiness

In my ways this pen
has always found a reason
to find itself in between
my hands.

Sometimes I take the time
to ask if this is it,
when truth rushes in
to fill my spirit as ink swirls
upon my skin.

I am not afraid of storms that breathe
into this poetry I write,
because all its winds lead me
to those places,
where I can feel.

Does a constant need
bring excitement
leaving us sailing away on songs
lying at the bottom of our hearts?
Is this the place
we roam?

A place where memories keep hoping
we will let them in
as they surround the years
rising to sing in a key
our voices never meant to sing again.

Do not tell me I break the rules
when I try and turn
the wheel of fate.
You know I will always be the one,
trying to fill the empty air
with song.

But tell me,
how does one close up emptiness
when it’s been there so long
even the world
thinks it’s part of the air
they breathe?

In my ways this pen wakes me,
gives me back my heart.
Delighted,
I find myself wondering
if I should sign my name,
or pour this emptiness I filled,
back into my pen
and part.

Author's Note

*dedicated to My friend Lisa F.

A poem about the decision we as writers make as to whether to scrap or share a piece of our souls..........our work.

Reviews

[emmajoy]

Maybe, just maybe we forget that people who write are actually using their imagination .. soooo, who's to know if we write fact or fiction?!

Until fairly recently I was wary of being as open in here than in my 'first world', various folk had misinterpreted things I 'said', so i hurt, reacted maybe foolishly. Now I do what I want; people who bother to read between the lines know the truth.

Your wonderful poetry says much the same but in such a regal, subtle way, Neva .. your phrasing is second to none, I really taste your words and lick my lips afterwards - whatever the theme! Liza will be so very grateful for what you're saying here

There's both sadness and joy in this poem, dear friend .. both as fine as the other, 'You know I will always be the one, ~ trying to fill the empty air with song.'

[Seshat Nidaba]

One of my favorite things about your writing, is your relationship with it, if that makese sense. Your identification with it is very vivid and profound.

This piece is the perfect example of this, and as artists, I think we all feel this, to various degrees in personalize it in our own natural ways.

[EMF]

And so I return. I return to visit an old friend and spend a little time walloing in their skill, watching their pens dance, creating music on the page. When it's as good as this, you cannot help yourself but be seduced.

I never really ever found it difficult to share my work, for some odd reason. I never really got into poetry however until a little over 2 years ago. I started off in a journal, a diary, and it more so was written as if I were writing to someone else; detailed, like a book, and I would read the entries to my friends, changing names and claiming it was a book I was writing. Eventually told them the truth behind the words and I haven't been scared since. ANYWHO, great poem.

[cat13]

I like "I am not afraid of storms that breathe
into this poetry I write," - I think it takes great courage to share work and its a great privilege to read your work. thank you.

[Poetic Beauty]

Ink swirls upon my skin. I love that line. I am not sure where my muse comes from or how "she" came to be. My muse is inside my mind and speaks to me and tells me what she wants me to write about. It is a beautiful thing when the words and ideas just flow. Some of my writes are not natural poems. I write them with love and care but other are those creative muse inspired ones that seem to take my breath away. Great poem on this topic and I love the details and the creativity you have poured into this piece.

[joshua deathdealer]

Stunning. I love the mysterious feel and the subtle end...xx

[Larry Dyson]

But tell me,
how does one close up emptiness
when it’s been there so long
even the world
thinks it’s part of the air
they breathe?

[Dream Weaver]

If this doesn't make a writer want to write
then I give up... nicely done Neva..
P.S. That last stanza is the ticket! :)

[unknown]

I agree, one of the many moments when my heart is consumed with the choice to share or keep secret. Like this one.

[Melobldnfr]

I like the questioning in this poem, particularly the next to last stanza. And the art is most catching and fitting. Thanks.