Sometimes you just don't belong

 

 

 

 

Sometimes you just don’t belong

 

I chose to be me

Found out just how hard it is

Kicking pebbles to the curb

Watching daydreams shattered

When the impact of truth

Becomes a mirror I’d just rather break (who needs luck anyway)

 

Hands in my pockets

Clinking loose change (as if change matters)

And simple gestures

Are torn and tossed

Paper mosaics on a dust particle breeze

As someone flips me a dove

 

~

 

My heart sat open

No line, no waiting, empty as a candy shop after Halloween

That little bell above the door rang

You walked in, smiling…at me?

Dirty apron and all, milk chocolate drippings

And sugar sweet became you

 

~

 

When I see another, a friend…yours or mine?

Danger Will Robinson, flailing metallic arms

Blinking colored lights in pinball fashion

Collect in the corners of my eyes

As I say under my breath

“that is not my name”

 

Lonely streets of crowded stares

Pointing fingers that are not hardware store signs

Naked in the freezing cold, sweating beads of Mardi Gras dreams

Facing a beggar wearing a t-shirt that reads

“Sometimes you just don’t belong” 

which we politely ignore

 

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Indeed sometimes this is very and horribly true, well done, good read.

[Jack...]

Thank you Thomas

[Cassie]

its not nice to not belong, at times that fact hits us so bad we just want to run and pretend we belong where we dont. Good one Jack

[Jack...]

Thank you so much Sunshine.

[Justine]

I like this - it's definitely different ! Laughed at "Danger Will Robinson" - I loved the original robot in Lost In Space. But on a serious note, I agree that sometimes when we are just who we are and people prefer the illusion that it rocks our sense of self. I seem to be sensitive to particular places and get that eerie feeling if I don't like a place and it freaks me out. Thankfully doesn't happen too often these days. I think you have packed so very much into this poem that I could read it again tomorrow and review it completely differently! That is the true sign of a good write. Justine

[Jack...]

Thanks so much Justine. I appreciate your kindness always to me. Your kindness makes me feel like I almost belong here...almost. :)

[Justine]

What??? ...of course you do ! :)

[Pryde Foltz]

Lonely streets of crowded stares
Pointing fingers that are not hardware store signs
Naked in the freezing cold, sweating beads of Mardi Gras dreams
Facing a beggar wearing a t-shirt that reads
“Sometimes you just don’t belong”
which we politely ignore

Great, great write, my friend. So much layering and story-telling.

[Jack...]

Thank you Pryde.

[Diana]

"'Sometimes you just don’t belong'
which we politely ignore"

I liked the immediacy of those last words. It's not a good feeling, but I think many have felt it.

[Jack...]

Thank you Diana.

[Kimmie]

Sometimes you don't belong. Exactly.

[Jack...]

Thank you Kimmie

[m.s.early]

Found myself remembering defining moments of teenage years when I most knew myself and was unprepared to discover there was more to it than I realized. My self discovery could only be broken by a pretty girl's smile only too often. And how frequently were truly revealing moments wished that I hadn't have had them.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much my friend.

[Lydia Shutter]

OMG....are you inside my head, Jack? Sometimes you don't belong....unfortunately I feel like that so very often. I am either the youngest in a crowd of VERY senior citizens or the oldest in a crowd of 40 somethings. I am either undressed or overdressed and when that little bell over the door rings, people are not always happy to see me walk in. You know the Joisey in me loved the line, "As someone flips me a dove." Well, that is a bird, is it not? :) Social situations can be strained and certainly we feel it when someone is slightly embarassed to introduce us to their other friends. Life can be lonely when you feel as though you never quite fit in...never fish or fowl. I can't even tell you how much I liked this, Jack. Lydi**

[Jack...]

Lydi, I know what you mean. I am one of the most don't belong people you will ever meet. Thank you for your kindness.

[David Scott]

Two lines really caught my eye Jack.
"As someone flips me a dove", was a delightful twist of a perverted gesture and a symbol of love. Mixed signals indeed. How is one to take such a gesture? The line asks a good question, or several good questions really... very strong line!

Not as unusual, but very telling of the mindset in this write is the line, "Lonely streets of crowded stares".
This begins what I feel was your strongest stanza. Ending the write with strength gives the reader a sense you know what you are trying to say and you will not be ignored lightly...

How sad is the polite aggression of the passive heart!

Talk about an admirable write Jack. This one fits the bill.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts.

[Jack...]

Thanks so much David...funny, you are the only one who brought up the dove line...Hmmm. :) I appreciate you.

[Johanna]

Really great Jack!! :D especally loved the end, amazing! thankyou for writing and for letting me read!! :)

[Jack...]

Thank you so much Johanna