Have You Ever Felt...

Have you ever felt

On the edge of life but not quite part of it?

Like happiness is at your fingertips

But just beyond your grasp?

 

Have you ever felt

That you were looking in

From a cold night

Through a lighted window

At a warm room

Where smiling people

Share a meal and a drink,

Music and affectionate companionship?

That maybe you could go inside,

Be a part of it,

If only you had the courage

To ring the damn doorbell?

 

Have you ever felt like a child

In a world full of grownups

All beautiful and accomplished,

Intelligent and articulate?

That anything you have to say

Is so elementary to them?

That to them inevitably

You are only a child?

 

An orphaned child

Who never has and never will know

The love and warmth of family?

Have you wondered how much

You’ll ever truly matter to another?

How much you can accomplish in life?

 

If you understand what I say,

You know how easy it is to despair.

You learn to function despite those demons

You and I share.

You keep a stiff upper lip.

You carry on, but they’re always there.

The darkness resurfaces now and then

And you don’t even know why.

I wish I could meet and talk with you

And together we could keep them at bay.

 

If you don’t understand,

And I hope you never do,

Sympathize and be kind because

You never know what lies

Deep beneath the surface

Of those you encounter on any ordinary day.

Reviews

[Adam Adams]

Such a "humanitarian" write!

Thought provoking stuff, it is that speaks the heart very well. You envision the shades, the moments, the scenario & the perspectives of vast world to your very eyes & nicely so smoothly let it leap down in words form the walls - the corners of your creative head. Lovely. You show a very heartfelt through realistic scenario of world... in ... through words. Excellent job!

My fav. line:

If you understand what I say,
You know how easy it is to despair.

Ah... so much and many things you creatively say in such ... few evocative lines. If the world underestimates or ain't understand what's meant to be understood then it'll never understand what's made to be worth or valued: "Humanity". Brilliant!

[Jennie Baron]

Wow! This review made my day. It means so much more than reviews that say little more than "I liked it." Actually, I don't know how much credit I can take for this one because it came to me so easily... But such a wonderful review is much appreciated!

[Becky Villareal]

If this came easily, it's because it came straight from your heart. Write on!

[Jennie Baron]

Thank you so much, Becky! It was good to meet you at the writers' group and a pleasant surprise to see you here. And I'm so pleased at your kind review. If you post some writing here, send me a read request. Or message me on Facebook, or I believe you mentioned you were on LinkedIn? I hope to get some chapters of my novel on the Cafe soon, too.

[Becky Villareal]

It was nice to meet you too. I will be posting things here as well. Take care.

[Patricia]

Such a strong piece of poetry and painfully thoughtful. I loved it.

[Jennie Baron]

Thank you so much, Patricia! I suppose this is one of my sadder poems although it's gotten some of the best response. Your review is much appreciated.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A sad piece echoing what many feel in this fast paced demanding world of instant gratification. I guess the introverts are always going to be in the shadow of the extroverts but I, being an introvert, have a) learned to play the game and b) understand now that many wear masks to hide their real selves.

[Jennie Baron]

That's a basic theme I was trying to get at in this poem. When I wrote it, I don't think we were as immersed in instant gratification (through social media) as we are now. I'm gratified that it resonated with you. From a fellow introvert, thanks for reading and reviewing!

[SkyspiritThePoet]

The poem is very deep, intense and inspirational. Yes, I have been there with family, friends and acquaintances. I often felt this way at Fandom House in Boston when hanging w/my friend Rickland and others, most from MIT, Dartmouth and a few other East Coast schools. While I was attending Harvard Extension University at the time, I had a measure of comfortability but being so poor in math and having never had classes in engineering, nor before that time and place having never really experienced nearly as much Fantasy or Sci-Fi movies and shows than others, the poem really resonates. I will say that I made some great friends through that crowd including a few well known Fantasy and Sci-Fi writers, two of which are very close to my heart though across thousands of miles. As for the poem, I think it will touch the heart and souls of all whom take the time to read the words as well as the message between the lines. Awesome piece Jennie - Awesome!!!!

[Jennie Baron]

Many thanks, my friend, for interacting with me through poetry online and in real life!

[Paul Bell]

I think we're all out of our depth at some point in life.
Strangely enough, people who get up on the stage fall into this category.
But being part of a family, even though you could probably kill them at times, really is golden.

[Jennie Baron]

Well said, Paul. Thank you for taking the time to read and review. It is much appreciated.

[Paul Bell]

Pleasure, great read.

[Anand Sehgal]

This speaks a lot about the marginalized lives. After reading this piece I sat silent for quite a while .
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[Jennie Baron]

That's quite a testimony! I'm honored at your words. Thanks so much for reading.

[pia]

its like this poem was written for me
this was beuatiful. i didnt even feel like i was reading it but as if the words you wrote were speaking to me.
on a spiritual level.
this was amazing.

[Jennie Baron]

You are too kind! Your beautiful review is much appreciated.

[George Coombs]

Sensitive and thought provoking writing that tells it how it so often is-a great humanitarian sort of right with, for me, the concluding three lines being particularly meaningful

[Jennie Baron]

Thank you, George, for reading and reviewing. I'm happy you found it meaningful.

[George Coombs]

You're welcome Jenny

[Kristan A. Mohammed]

This is one of the truest pieces I've ever read. There is so much relation between me and this piece. I realized that I've reviewed this piece already but I'm dong it again to signify how amazing and how touching this piece is. Great job again.

[Jennie Baron]

It's so rewarding to know when someone finds your writing "amazing" and "touching." My heartfelt thanks! I also want to visit your poetry again soon.

[Kathy Van Kurin]

Jennie baron,
The needy inner soul; we all have times of vulnerability. Our choices, circumstances, fatigue- and on and on..........we are complex, messy and downright wonderful! Love your poem!!! Blessings, Kathy

[Jennie Baron]

Your eloquent review is much appreciated, Kathy!