A Women's Serenade (self portrait contest 2013)

Self portrait my adult life in poetic form..

 

A Woman's Serenade

 

I've sat beside the railroad tracks

and watched my life rush by

I've walked a long and lonely road,

I've sat alone and cried

I've built a mountain from a hill,

symbolic though it was

I've seen the destined eagle pass

in flight the way it does

I 've more than once been loved and lost

I've been abandoned raped and tossed

I've tried to climb some hills too steep

I've slid back down and there I'd weep

I've sewn together happiness

when family leaned upon it

I've raised and ruled a multitude

caressed them in a sonnet

I've Spackle'd closed the cracks of life

to try to keep them safe from harm

I've led them and I've walked behind,

sometimes it's been a funny farm

I shoveled through some knee high stuff,

I've paddled without an oar

I've sailed the seas both smooth and rough

and somehow reached the shore

I've worn a shell to keep me safe,

then allowed that shell to shatter

I wore the cloak of patience

and I've felt my patience splatter

I've kneeled and prayed beside the grave

of loved ones I have lost

I've raised my voice in godly praise

yet questioned him the cost

there is no perfection here,

of flesh and bone I'm made

I am just a woman child

whose lived a serenade

bj smith 

aka shallimarRose

 

 

 

 

Entered in the self portrait contest September 2013

 For more shallimarRose Poetry by title in my blog click link: Bits of Me...Table of Contents by title...

Author's Note

feel free....

Reviews

[wordwarrior]

Oh my this is just stunning. I felt so many emotions reading this and could understand all those metaphors that encase so many emotions. Brilliant writing that grabs the reader in and takes them on your inner life's journey and oh how many of us can relate to parts or all of this!
I adore those last two lines...simple and oh so effective.
Wonderful poetry!

[shallimarRose]

Thank you WW.. how sweet.. Yes.. I suspect that many have traveled these same miles and trials.. xo Rose

[Frieda P]

Wow, I don't what to say here, you've crawled beneath my flesh with this one, it literally feeds on the senses. My goosebumps have chills! Holy cats, this is superb shaimar...

[shallimarRose]

lol @ your goosebumps have the chills.. I am so glad you enjoyed it Frieda.. I have to admit this one even gives me a chill when i re-read it because its my life.. I think a lot of what I have written here many women feel the same.. I am happy and lucky to have reached the shore and remained somewhat sane..
xo, shallimar..

[Frieda P]

Yep, I know the drill all too well....ha they did! ;-)

[Emerald Seas]

Exceptional writing! It sounds like a wonderful tribute to women and mothers everywhere. So many lines I could pull out and say make an impact and resonate with me. An excellent Mother's Day tribute perhaps - and would be a fabulous spoken word piece.

[shallimarRose]

Thank you for your nice review... I actually wrote this piece a few years ago... I had not even thought about reading this one on spoken word but i can hear it now that you mention it.. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.. shallimarRose

[Jack...]

I found this to be very deep and profound. Veronica says it is a woman's sonnet, but it spoke to me as well. Very nicely done.

I've worn a shell to keep me safe,
then allowed that shell to shatter

I wore the cloak of patience
and I've felt my patience splatter

These are my favs

[shallimarRose]

Thank you Jack.. Those are two lines that are my favorites too and I think might resonate with almost everyone.. thank you for taking time to read and comment.. xo Rose

[Veronica Chandler]

It is like you are singing my song! How did you get in my head? Oh that's right this is a "Woman's Sonnet", and I am a woman. This is an incredible write that gives me chills Shallimar! Wow, plain and simple, profoundly true! You even got some laughs out of me tonight; it really is the best medicine.
"I shoveled through some knee high stuff,
I've paddled without an ore"

[shallimarRose]

Yes a women's story is a full one.. I am glad you could relate and it even got a giggle or two.. thank you for reading Veronica..
shallimar is my preferred name but many call me Rose. I will answer to just about anything.. **smiles**