still there

digging

feeling like a miner of my own body

unearthing emotions

worthless ones tossed aside

valuable ones saved for posterity

feeling flimsy with looming possibility

suddenly the word DREAM comes to call

i scale a vertical wall of negativity

wearing shades to dim the catastrophic light

then excavate a bit more

swathed now in leftover courage

optimism sparks the fire

i always knew was still there

 

Reviews

[R.M.C]

It has been a while since I've read your work and I'm pleased and not surprised that they are as captivating as ever. A lovely piece. I love the metaphor of mining; it suits that feeling of searching within yourself really well. Personally, it sometimes feels like I'm having to lift away all of the overburden to get to that "fire" that I know is still there buried deep. Totally relatable. Wonderful piece.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, R.M.C. I appreciate your review. Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Lydi, I have found that even in the winter, there are times I wear shades to soften the glare of reality... knowing that life is like holding a flower softly
and pressing the fragrance to our heart.
Our spirit brings courage. There should be a Rose named Courage. The color
would be the shade of a Robin's egg...
speckled with hope. Your poem is penned with tenderness. truly, Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

Such a sweet and comforting review, my friend. Thank you. Lydi**

[Valentine]

Sometimes we have to really dig deep to find our inner self. Nice write. Valentine

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Kathie. Lydi**

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

Well put poem. I also liked the tone to it, and these lines;

"i scale a vertical wall of negativity
wearing shades to dim the catastrophic light" tyfs

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks, Cyprian. Lydi

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

You're most welcome

[Manu]

All shades of emotions positive, negative and neutral lie in a home called mind. I feel as per our situations and character we evoke those multifaceted emotions. I loved that ending a lot bringing out the positivity in order to fight out the negativity. Very beautifully written piece, Lydia.
Lovely piece :-)

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Gorthi! Lydi**

[Bala Gorthi]

Very Beautiful Lydia! How all these worthless and worthy emotions , all that negativity trying to gulp the positivity exist in the same memory, is beautifully brought out in your poem.That frequent digging to decide what to shelve what to throw out is necessary. A must do exercise for all of us indeed.
This write is amazing and inspiring one for me.
The confidence of that optimism and the fire in those final verses truly brings out the attitude very well.
Thank you for sharing.

[Lydia Shutter]

Just as the drawers in the kitchen need to be straightened and cleaned out occasionally, our minds need to be uncluttered and cleared. Thank you very much, Bala. Lydi**

[emmajoy]

You guide yourself with amazing clarity and determination... wrapped in more than fine words, Lydi.. Guess if we try hard enough now and again we can see ourselves with clarity, it's bothering to do so that's vitally important. (Makes note to do so, today, now.)

[Lydia Shutter]

We can see the REAL person inside us....the one we might mask for the rest of the world. Thank you so much, Emma. Lydi**

[emmajoy]

Always, always my pleasure.

[Lorry]

I really like this piece Lydi, it says to me that it is only when we truly look inwards, that we find the true treasures of our life, in those emotions we may have misplaced, but never lost. We find what is most important to us, with that newly unearthed courage, which puts all the trinkets in the world in he shade, with the true treasures our lives accumulate through the years.

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed, Nemo, we are wiser with every year we live. Thank you so much for this thoughtful review. Lydi**

[Lorry]

You're very welcome :)

[Hebe]

Wonderful ... good to dig once in a while, you never know what you come up with! words with wisdom, great writing!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

Amazing use of words and thoughts dear Lydia.
"swathed now in leftover courage
optimism sparks the fire
i always knew was still there"
I believe we must reach dead-end to know we have so much more to give. I liked the ending a lot. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Lydia Shutter]

Yes, there are days we must dig deep to find the smiles. Thank you for bringing me smiles with your reviews, John. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

I'm glad dear friend and you are welcome Lydia.

[Ken Simm.]

You are right, it is cathartic to dig deep. I like the idea of worthless emotions cast aside. It takes incredible depth of character to first of all recognise them and then cast them aside. not easy. And then to write about it in a lovely poem full of worthy advice and beautiful lines.....

[Lydia Shutter]

I am nothing if not logical....I know worthless when I see it! :) Thanks so much, Ken. I always appreciate your thoughtful reviews. LydI**