Cortney My Daughter

1985 - 2011

Two years today, at four twenty,

A hard line drawn.
My life was again,


Placed in the forge for a scalding,


Hammered tempered to become,
Damascus steel.
Aged, contoured lined,

Defined...


Trinity a realization of the strength of,
Empty.
The power of,
Now.

The need of preparation.
To handle the scalding ,to hold a edge, sharp and narrow,
To Live...

Not brittle, not brittle, no not brittle,

What have you given today ?
How deep ?
How well fed are your roots ?
Do you have Initiative ?
Creativity ?
A double layer of humor ?

To Choose, to live, to grey, to walk on that line drawn hard on my heart,
Today,
To kiss today.

Author's Note

Smooth waters do not make good Sailors.... a belief of truth.

Reviews

[Through the Gateway]

Placed in the forge for a scalding,

This line spoke to me more than any of the others. Knowing the burning loss, trying to shape it into something useful, something that will no longer hurt. At times we hammer away, and out tears is what we use to cool the steel.

A brilliant write.

[lee von cleef]

Thank you , I pray to stay useful, and to add some Will Rodgers into my soul.....

[Emily B]

To Choose, to live, to grey, to walk on that line drawn hard on my heart, . . .

what tall and impressive words, from beginning to end

[DC Gentleman]

No words do this piece justice.. this is emotion on page. Truly powerful

[lee von cleef]

thank you,

[C. Harter Amos]

So stark and raw. These lines particularly struck me: "To handle the scalding ,to hold a edge, sharp and narrow,To Live..."

[lee von cleef]

Thank you , Four or five of the poems right there together are Court, I write of other things too but she elbows right back in often.

[Allen Smuckler]

Beyond powerful and heartfelt... whatever that is....
I must admit I had to read it several times to understand....though how do you get the "ungettable"
Your choice of wording and the personal metaphors and imagery made it all the more honest and soulful...
I'm so sorry for your loss Lee and can only sympathize
one step in front of the other....one day at a time...
Peace
allen

[lee von cleef]

The older but "Fresher" poem "Soul" is the start of this poetry madness, thank you ...

[bryandc15]

Full of emotions. "Live now or regret."

[Emily B]

oh, lee . . . there are no words

[jacob erin-cilberto]

sad and hopeful at the same time...a stirring tribute...

she has to be looking down and smiling. you are strong and she would want you to take that time you had, savor it...and you show here how a parent can learn so much strength from a child.

[Mark]

Written truth. That is what I've finally found I like most about your words. Clear and sharp.

[Cool Handless Luke]

Absolutely beautiful words. Obviously a portion of your soul offered up in word form. I have lost a father. I cannot and do not even want to imagine a child. I am at a loss to add anything. there is nothing one can add after all.

[waif]

How to respond to the capacity to find joy and purpose in the depths of sorrow. I feel pierced after reading this; for your loss, but also by your message. The truth stuns.

I am sorry.

[lee von cleef]

all your words are light and chosen, keep writing, they are you...a living Soul.