Begging Bowl

Begging Bowl

A Poem by Zoe Richardson
"

If wishes were horses imagine the stench...

"

I wish I had a bow of ash

Doeskin boots, a leather lash

Violet eyes and white blonde hair

A slip between the earth and air

 

I wish I were a prince of tides

With the gift of never choosing sides

To ride the waves both up and down

Without the fear of being drowned

 

I wish I had a sky of spires

A crown of stars, a throne of fire

A judgment quick with righteous stand

The call of freedom within my hands

 

I wish I had a seeking sky

Spread out beneath a lover’s sigh

A heart to bless and wish you well

And keep the secrets you won’t tell

 

But I have only words and rain

A woman’s gift for bearing pain

A vessel meant to carry tears

There is no comfort for you here.

 

-Zoe Richardson 

© 2022 Zoe Richardson


Author's Note

Zoe Richardson
I wish I were an Oscar Meyer wiener. That is what I truly wish to be!

My Review

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Reviews

You sound like someone who's seen to much pain. You make me think of a waitress I met once who had become old beyond her years. One night, she shared poetry with a drifter. I never saw her again. But these words seem to conjure her spirit.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Zoe Richardson

2 Years Ago

I have seen more pain than most. I try not to dwell on it, but sometimes it comes out in my poetry. .. read more
M. J. Smith

2 Years Ago

I hadn't thought of Miss Charity in a long time. A fleeting night when I was twenty or so. She left .. read more
I love the theme. We all have times that we wish we were something greater than what we are, The thought is that others may covet what we are. Being happy with what we are is the key to happieness. I loved the poem and it's clean flow.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Zoe Richardson

2 Years Ago

Thank you! We always tend to discount what we are and focus on what we are not. We forget others loo.. read more
This was wonderful. I particularly enjoyed the last verse. "A woman's gift for bearing pain" was such an impactful line. I thought of women I had known all my life, my mother, sisters and others; the pain of childbirth, how they dealt with loss of husbands and endured quietly the awful reality and threat of cancer. Brilliant work here and I thoroughly enjoyed. F.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Zoe Richardson

2 Years Ago

I always say that if men had to have babies the human race would have died out with Adam. I remember.. read more
A judgment quick with righteous stand
The call of freedom within my hands
I LOVE rhyming poems, it's my favorite kind of poems,
when they flow.

Really love this part, love your Author's note LMBO
are you sure you really want to be one? LOL
nice poem anyways.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Zoe Richardson

2 Years Ago

I am so glad you like rhyming poems. Sometimes we poets are shamed for writing poems that rhyme. For.. read more
Unspoken poet

2 Years Ago

rhyming poems take more skill and effort I think. I always wanted to be Olive Oil and have Popeye re.. read more
Zoe Richardson

2 Years Ago

That reminds me of a little childhood ditty my brother and I would sing. "I'm Popeye the Sailor Man... read more
I really love this write, flowed smoothly...
I like your author's note...LOL

Posted 2 Years Ago


Zoe Richardson

2 Years Ago

Snort! I was wondering if anyone would pick up on that. Thank you for your kind words. It's so nice .. read more
Me too dear Zoe.
"I wish I had a seeking sky
Spread out beneath a lover’s sigh
A heart to bless and wish you well
And keep the secrets you won’t tell"
I loved the above lines. I need a long vacation with great adventure. Thank you dear friend for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

Posted 2 Years Ago


Zoe Richardson

2 Years Ago

I think we all need a long vacation. A great adventure, on the other hand, can be found close at han.. read more
Coyote Poetry

2 Years Ago

Hello dear Zoe. I loved this poem and you are welcome.
there is comfort in these words...the smooth rhythm...and I like the near rhyme in spots.
Nicely constructed wish list...into a poem.
j.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Zoe Richardson

2 Years Ago

Thank you so much! I've been without a laptop for almost a month and missed out on so much here! It'.. read more
This was a solid piece of poetry with a nice flowing ryhme scheme. I was drawn to this one particular verse:

I wish I were a prince of tides
With the gift of never choosing sides
To ride the waves both up and down
Without the fear of being drowned

It is not easy to aspire toward neutrality because we are riddled with bias and self perspective within our own personal lives. Balance requires an openess of heart and much empathy. Seeing past our own selfish nature. This is a good piece overall with the narrative voice wishing they had qualities they lack in order to be better toward another.

Posted 2 Years Ago


Zoe Richardson

2 Years Ago

I want to thank you, not just for your lovely compliments, which are much appreciated, but for sayin.. read more
Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

2 Years Ago

You are very welcome Zoe. Art has that most human of character. It speaks. We may not always agree i.. read more
Zoe Richardson

2 Years Ago

I've learned to show kindness to everyone I meet. I may not understand them. I may not agree with th.. read more
Dear Zoe, your wishes here aren't asking the world. They are modest wishes not asking for much at all in my opinion. No mention of riches or wealth through your stanzas with their fine images. But then your last stanza, and my heart sank for the loss of happiness and the sorrow that remains. Tgatcsrabza has impact. Nicely penned poem. Strong title too.

Chris

Posted 2 Years Ago


Zoe Richardson

2 Years Ago

Dearest Chris, I think this poem is meant to convey longing more than bitterness. We all have moment.. read more

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154 Views
9 Reviews
Rating
Added on January 18, 2022
Last Updated on January 18, 2022
Tags: Poetry, Thoughts, Wishes, Imagery

Author

Zoe Richardson
Zoe Richardson

Cordova, AL



About
Alabama native. Poet and storyteller and all around word nerd. I practice random acts of insanity because the world needs some shaking up. more..

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