vulnerability

life points out that which we would like to ignore

conversations reach a natural ending
cycles are pedaled to the nearest segue way
while the universe as we know it gasps for air


time’s reflection knowingly winks at me
from the other side of the funhouse mirror
the arthritic rotation of my axis
creaks just a little more


instinctively i know there is a star in the sky
(even though it is noontime)
wanting to twinkle more
than anything has ever wanted to twinkle


rich openness mingles with ambiguity
i am once again reminded
(a rude awakening as it were)
of not just human vulnerability
but of my own

Author's Note

image courtesy of weheartit.com

Reviews

[Mia]

Vulnerability is not weakness…let time tick on and things change…physically and otherwise, it’s part of our story and people lie when they say it’s the worst part…though I can’t speak from experience! You are an insightful woman Lydi and I’m sure I will always learn from you! Wonderful poem!

[Lydia Shutter]

Mia, your reviews mean a lot to me. Thank you so much. Lydi**

[Pryde Foltz]

A very intriguing piece. The reader is given only a suggestion of why you feel so vulnerable. We are able to fill in the blanks with our own experience. The mood you create is quite metaphysical.

[Lydia Shutter]

We all have been vulnerable for a myriad of reasons at some point in our lives...that is the sad truth. Thanks for your wonderful review, Pryde. Lydi**

[MsJewel]

We are all vunerable at certain times Lydi. We see ourselves as strong individuals and then life happens... What I love about this poem is though its a bit melancholy, you lighten it up with such brilliant lines such as:
time’s reflection knowingly winks at me
from the other side of the funhouse mirror

You are one of a kind Lydi and I admire you!
:) Julie

[Lydia Shutter]

Back at ya, Julie.....you are a special lady. Thank you for the review. Lydi**

[MsJewel]

My pleasure my dear friend!

[Coyote Poetry]

"rich openness mingles with ambiguity
i am once again reminded
(a rude awakening as it were)
of not just human vulnerability
but of my own"
Vulnerability make us realize we won't live forever. I like the internal thoughts and the strong ending. Age teaches us many things. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you , my friend. I appreciate your review. Lydi**

[John Alexander McFadyen]

As we fossilise and feel ourselves move towards the exit we often reflect. and yet the feelings are still strong, the desire still hot and our dreams still unfulfilled. We don' t die because of age we die despite it. Lovely thought provoking introspection.

[Lydia Shutter]

Very wise words, John....thank you so much for this review! Lydi**

[Frieda P]

Ah that mirror image that dims our glow and makes us vulnerable to the naked eye, I love that the reflection winked at you, it's just as spunky and sassy as you Lydi....great piece of introspective poetry here.

[Lydia Shutter]

Sometimes that spunk is a little lopsided though! :) Thank you very much, Frieda. Enjoy your day. Lydi**

[Frieda P]

Haha lopsided spunk is better than no spunk at all! My pleasure ;-)

[Jwakefield]

Everyone is vulnerable. Really wonderfully reflected upon and beautifully penned as always.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much for your review. Lydi**

[Joyce S. Greene]

Your star will be twinkling up there brightly for all to see forever and a day, Lydi! (noontime or night) A bittersweet write reflecting on the difficulty of being human and frail. Beautifully written, this poem touched me deeply.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Joyce. Accepting our shortcomings and frailties is not easy, but we must. Lydi**

[redzone]

image and poem are complimentary Lydi, many times we are reminded by life itself our frailities and vulnerabilities and when we forget, life is more than willing to teach us again. I liked the way you opened up this poem with the universe "gasping for air",,, you know though Lydi, while it may not always seem so, I think you, the way you write will always "twinkle"... or to put it another way, "creaking arthritic axis aside, we are going to live forever... er.. ok, then for a very long time... ;o) and inspite of the vulnerabilities, its a "nice" poem Lydi... ~~redzone

[Lydia Shutter]

Curt, no one can review a poem as you are able to! I wish I could read my words as you do....can I borrow your rose colored glasses a while, my friend? Thank you so much for your "nice" words. You know I appreciate them. Hope you are enjoying the weekend. Lydi**

[Rita L. Sev]

So easy to forget that we are only human, too - we can forgive others there human frailty, by not ourselves... I like this, Lydi - a thoughtful write.

[Lydia Shutter]

It's true, Rita, we are often our own worst critics. Thank you very much for the review. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, we know that star is out there and it shines for us...but it seems to gradually lose its brightness..its glow..and we also do that, yet we just don't want to admit it.

[Lydia Shutter]

You are in focus, Jacob! Thanks so much for the review. Lydi**