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.

[Moonie]

Wow, wow, wow!! This blew me away! Like really, that right there, just above my review is a masterpiece. It's a poem to be celebrated! One of the best poems I' ve ever read. Maybe I feel this way because I have felt all the emotions you mentioned in the poem, or maybe it is because your words can make anyone feel those emotions. But, I know that this is beautiful! I enjoyed this a lot. :) :) :)
I admire and adore you, Jennie ma'am. Same goes for your writing. :))

[Jennie Baron]

Wow, wow, wow to get such a stellar review! Thanks so much for your support. It means so much more coming from such a great poet! And I considered myself a fiction writer who just dabbles in poetry...

[RileyRedding]

You've tackled so many profound questions.
Questions that make one realize how much 30 seconds of immense bravery can account for.
You've so elegantly undressed what makes us insecure/incomplete.
Fantastic work!

[Jennie Baron]

I so appreciate your reading and review. Many thanks!

[Jennie Baron]

Wow, "elegant"! Words like that could go to one's head for sure.

[Lenah Mehzabin]

Ow!.. it's the best teaching of life u taught in a beautiful way ..great job !

[Jennie Baron]

Many, many thanks!

[J Johnson III]

Awesome read! I really enjoyed reading this.

[Jennie Baron]

Why, thank you so much, Annabel!

[Don Shaw]

Beautiful poem. Very heart felt.

[Jennie Baron]

Many thanks for reading and for your review, Don!

[Oberon Duke]

Lovely poem! And, as other commenters have already attested, I think most people have felt this way. I know I certainly have, but you've found a way to articulate it better than I ever could, or most people could for that matter. Definitely a powerful poem.

[Jennie Baron]

My heartfelt thanks, Oberon! Glad you relate to it.

[Skai Rain]

This is a wonderful work. And to answer the first four lines... yes. Yes, I have. I think we all have. That is part of the reason this poem is so great. Thank you for sharing.

[Jennie Baron]

Many thanks for your reading and review! Your words are gratifying. In return I have some of your writing on my reading list to check out.

[Skai Rain]

You're welcome and thank you, my friend.

[Sami Khalil]

I read it twice. Amazing...

[Jennie Baron]

I genuinely appreciate your reading and the positive word. Many thanks.

[Sami Khalil]

Many welcomes...:)......

[SpeedyHobbit Armstrong]

Yes, I've felt many of these things.

I like your poetry. Though it has figurative speech aplenty, it isn't so dense that the poem's rendered nearly incomprehensible.

[Jennie Baron]

That means a lot coming from such a good writer! Much appreciated, Speedy; I'm glad you liked this.

[willweb]

I know the feelings you have written out in this wonderful and enlightening poem. I believe at one time or another in our lives we have all felt something like this, out of place, lonely, not fitting in, but life is just one big puzzle and eventually we will find exactly where our piece does fit...at least I hope so. I really enjoyed this.

[Jennie Baron]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Your reading and your kind review are truly appreciated.