Mirror

By DC

Forever seemed like never
Until pain found my doorstep
Some lines I leave lingering
Because I never want you to think less
Life is so impressive once you inherit this perception
Forced in different directions
But in every field I’ve been accepted
Maybe because my soul stayed pure
Or my differences from the rest I never let interfere
I hung love in the closet and put happiness on my back
Hid pain in a place I’ll never want to go to get it back
Address me right and your letter should reach its destination
I know workers with no occupations
And every second that’s been invested
Has been self destructive in various places
A dazed boxer was saved by a bell
A suicidal man was saved by religion
A lady that gave up on her dreams was saved by a vision
Now imagine you on the edge of that cliff
What’s going to save you from what’s tempting?

5 Comments

  1. Zoe Roberts on March 8, 2017 at 2:49 PM

    Wow! The rythem of the poem is great and I love the line about hanging love in the closet. Great work!

  2. Judy Mandel on March 9, 2017 at 4:44 PM

    I love the imagery you use in the poem–“put happiness on my back.” The poem has a struggle in it, but is hopeful too–“the dazed boxer was saved by the bell, a suicidal man was saved by religion.” It leaves the reader feeling there is always something out there that can save you.

  3. William Shield on March 10, 2017 at 11:09 AM

    DC,

    “A dazed boxer was saved by a bell
    A suicidal man was saved by religion
    A lady that gave up on her dreams was saved by a vision
    Now imagine you on the edge of that cliff
    What’s going to save you from what’s tempting?”

    I love this section of your poem! I hope I am not mis-interpreting it but are you saying that the environment we grow up in is the edge of the cliff?

    I, like any other person am subject to the temptations of my environment, and like everyone else, I often fall for them. It’s easy to tell myself that I am the master of my environment and that I am able to control my surroundings but that isn’t the case. We are all victims of our environment, it just seems now that those that came from an environment of privilege are some how in a better position to judge those that came from an environment of no privilege.

    I think it’s very easy for people to judge others without looking at the context of their actions. Instead of searching for the ‘Why’ we just punish. In my opinion your voice is more important than most because, if you are where you are, then you have come through an environment that most people will never understand. Your poems and your writings can change that, they can open eyes to worlds they try to ignore and open minds to concepts they try to ignore. Keep writing, and stay strong! I loved this poem and will be sharing it with my friends.

    Will

  4. Jess Lawson on March 11, 2017 at 7:56 PM

    DC–this poem really makes me think! I couldn’t help but read it out loud to myself, and was amazed by the unique composition and combination of the words you have chosen. My favorite lines are “I hung love in the closet and put happiness on my back/ Hid pain in a place I’ll never want to go to get it back.” This poem makes me think about all the pain I have hid under the mattress and under the floorboards and behind the walls of my heart many times. I’m just now learning to unpack and process through one at a time, and learning that even just talking/writing about those wounds can bring healing. Truly, DC, your words encourage me, inspire me, and will continue to challenge me in the best of ways. Thank you for sharing!
    -Jess 🙂

  5. Mikhail on March 13, 2017 at 3:05 PM

    “I hung love in the closet and put happiness on my back.” What a powerful piece! This line stuck with me. How many times we give up on a brighter tomorrow, when being a bit more patient may help us to see the bright light awaiting us tomorrow. Well done… Keep writing!

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