Vulnerable

A prose poem...

Vulnerable                   by Sami Khalil

Prose poem…

 

I walk the stages: Vulnerable, portentous, anxious; memories spread out like counterpanes.

 

A sense of agitation engulfs my mind.

A feeling of dread unravels my being.

A rolling of waves caresses my edges.

 

I sense an emotional “dueling” burgeoning upon this heart,

stripped of swords and shields.

 

Flowery languages suffice not to show the pangs, the fears, the innermost hurts.

 

I need peace, trust, patience and courage to remove the barricades, to offer a certain stillness between spaces,

to bestow a gentle calm to the transgression of chaotic souls, to publish the gothic pages of unspoken things.

 

Tonight, I bide in vulnerability: An impetuous, unfair trade between weakness and strength.

Reviews

[Tan-90]

Sami let me put your mind to ease and say this. Vulnerability is often misunderstood as a weakness, but in reality, it is a profound strength. To be vulnerable is to show courage—the courage to be open, to trust,

True strength lies in embracing vulnerability, because it is in that space we discover our authenticity and the capacity for meaningful growth. You have traded strength for strength of a different kind.

Well done yet again.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! I can't agree more with you dear poet and friend. You have summed it up marvelously. All these weaknesses human think they are, prods us to take action, to repair and reform, to lift up the pains and sorrows, to be more humble and gentle.
Thank you kindly for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us

[Richard🖌]

Hmmm? 🤔

Well, Sami,
First-off, it certainly is unpleasant to disagree with such an accomplished artist, as yourself, but I do not find this piece to be language written or spoken in its ordinary form, plain or dully written discourse or expression, or speaking tediously … all of which is Prose.
What I do believe is that this piece is a splendid example of Free Verse poetry, with rhythm, flow, strong emotional timbre, creative metaphor, syntactic wonder, spot-on punctuation, etc; etc; etc.
Could it be formatted and presented more poetically? Yes, but every nuance of stellar Free Verse is present.
Please, excuse my critique … I just felt it needed said.

Now,
Having said all that, let me say how personally relatable in feeling and emotion this poem epitomizes me … been there, done that … alas, more than once, and it ain't all that easy to overcome.
"Envious" describes my inner reaction upon reading through each and every creatively original line.
Grrreat title and artwork choice, too.

I could proceed, Sami, but lest I wear my welcome thin, I'll close with a sincere thank you for sharing your fine poetic skill with us all, at The Café! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Coming from the worthy bard , who is spearheading creativity, is an honor and privilege to say the least.
You appreciation, valuing and sharing keep us grounded in inspiration. Glad you like free verse, too. I like to get out of my comfort zone and explore what is available to us writers out there.
I can't thank you enough sir Richard . See you around soon.

[Betty Hermelee]

we all experience inner struggles during our lifetime.... it is a space which can take away our breath, a space we strive to exit....a space of extreme vulnerability....we don't want to aggravate it further...considering this uncomfortable "in between" we can hope for better days...
well done Sami....
Warmly, B

[Sami Khalil]

Javajavaya! So true and well said dear poet and friend. I can't agree more. Thank you kindly Betty for your time and effort to review.
Have a good weekend.

[Betty Hermelee]

A pleasure, always🌷
Warmly, B

[Sami Khalil]

:::::))))))))))))

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

"An impetuous, unfair trade between weakness and strength." The closing gave me hope as I'm battling within this very space. At times, strength is the forgotten companion, but a companion nonetheless. Thank you.

[Sami Khalil]

So true and well articulated. Glad you are fighting the good fight. I do too. Thank you kindly for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us. Good to see you.

[Amy R]

Powerful write, it reflects a lot on how personal experiences often comes with many inner struggles and vulnerability. I pondered a little on this topic, since many of us face such in this world.

Here you reminded us that we need peace, trust, and courage to navigate through these feelings.
Nice poem.

-Amy

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! I totally agree dear poet and friend; we sure need them to navigate this harsh, heartless world. Thank you kindly for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us

[Amy R]

Aww glad to share my view.
You're welcome. ☺️

[Sami Khalil]

::::::)))))))))))))

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Sami… Impetuous is one of my favorite words… I am Vulnerable at times. I feel this is a Poem that describes the feelings we are experiencing now in a more Serious situation
With our Country and World in turmoil. Wishing you a lovely day with Sunshine and Hope and prosperity for the future, gently, Pat

[Sami Khalil]

I agree wholeheartedly: we all are experiencing powerful events and hopefully we can preserve ourselves and our species, world from nuclear exchanges. I keep hearing the threats here and there. Our government and others should work towards peaceful, just solutions to those difficult wars and animosities. I hope, but not holding my breath. The alternatives do not look good when many nations possess Nukes.
I hope all is well in your beautiful place.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Sami… we realize how Fragile Life can be. Every day I am in Awe that so many talented People may perish if we cannot work together for the Common Good for which we are Blessed. softly, Pat

[Sami Khalil]

I agree wholeheartedly. Thank you kindly for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.

[emmajoygreen]

Good afternoon - only six minutes ago, dear friend. As often you gently take a worry or sadness,
vulnerability or whatever - pat it, think it then - put it into buoyant words. That way of dealing with problems or hurt helps to release tension, regain energy and all the necessities a human being needs. There are more than enough problems in our place in space to allow aggravations wriggle their way into our day to day lives. Bless your logic and kindness, dear Sami. Many, many thanks.

[Sami Khalil]

OMG! So true and well articulated; beautiful and wise words you shared. I thank you for taking the time and effort to leave a positive impact.

[Sami Khalil]

Note: One or 2 of your poems I can't review for they lack review boxes; could be glitches.

[Chris Shaw]

This prose is so beautifully worded Sami and describes vulnerability in a way that many will relate. Your fourth stanza stood out in its excellence and spoke to me personally. A wonderful piece. Kudos.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

Wowzy woooo! I love it when people feel a writing and can relate; we are all vulnerable human beings as you know that, some more that others depending on different situations. How to act or react can be the key to weakness or strength. Million thank your dear poet and friend

[andrew mitchell]

Maybe the more we know the more vulnerable we become. I suppose we can use our strengths to overcome our weaknesses as they say confront fear and fear loses its hold on you, something like that . Anyway an excellent write Sami to ponder on.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! So true and well articulated dear poet and friend. I wholeheartedly agree. Lots of people are in that predicament as you know; shake it off or it will shake us. Million thank yous.

[Linda alexander]

This poem depicts true portrait of being vulnerable. Poet succeeded in every measure to lead the reader to the real world of the emotion. If one can keep the head above water in those stages the real courage comes afterwards is unparallel at least to few people, congrats on this piece of writing Sami Khalil the great author of poem Bereft

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! Coming from you is a true honor; I'm glad you still remember my poem 'Bereft'. Thank you kindly for all.

[Linda alexander]

I really liked that poem no wonder it comes to me spontaneously,

[Sami Khalil]

All wonderful. Thank you kindly for liking and all the support.