Pen-Spilled Emotions

By JC

As my pen spills an emotion I don’t know if I’m physically
Able to verbalize the words that are written on my heart
They are caught because I don’t want to release them
With ill intentions, but knowing the truth sometimes hurts
And knowing what these words may cause, I seek the best way
To say them without causing division or discomfort hoping
You’ll understand at times the right words can’t be found
Or said so I rather show you through my action
If all fails I’m left to let my pen continue to spill my
Emotions that are written on my heart

6 Comments

  1. Sarah S. on May 26, 2019 at 8:20 PM

    This is such a deceptively simple and beautiful poem. Ten lines don’t seem like enough to convey such a powerful sentiment, and yet they are in this poem. I don’t know exactly what words are written on your heart, JC, but through this poem you’ve allowed the reader a small glimpse into your heart, and we can see how kind it is. I hope you find a way to say the words in the way that you want, but even if you don’t, I think that this poem says much more than you realize.

  2. Jessica Garratt on June 9, 2019 at 11:20 AM

    I can really feel the visceral tension and struggle in this poem between emotions written on the heart and what can be made “physical” in the world by writing words on a page. I can feel the space of in-between, where the emotions try to verbalize, but where there are things holding them back from being verbalized too. It’s a powerful and brave space to write from!

  3. Kayelynn on April 14, 2020 at 6:47 PM

    JC,

    Such a heartfelt and wise poem. You’re letting the readers know that, though you can’t always verbalize your emotions, you’ll continue to try and show yours through your actions and your poems. Keep on writing, you have amazing work!

  4. Hayley on April 15, 2020 at 2:56 PM

    Hi JC,

    This poem is beautifully-written and the strength you have is palpable. You capture the disconnect between action and desire very well– sometimes what we want isn’t considered right and something what is right isn’t what we want. Nevertheless, it is courageous of you to divulge your difficulty verbalizing your feelings. Thank you for sharing!

  5. Caroline K. on May 1, 2020 at 12:02 PM

    Dear JC,
    This poem is powerful. I connect with the emotion that it is a struggle to put words on a page and verbalize such intense emotion, however you have achieved it here. We are able to see into what you are thinking and I empower you to continue this thought through writing.

  6. N. B. on October 20, 2020 at 4:15 PM

    Your poem truly speaks to the power of words. For any of us who have ever gone to write something down and couldn’t put it into words, your poem captures the essence of that challenge perfectly. Emotions, actions, feelings, moments… these are all things it’s difficult, *I* think impossible, to describe through writing: but we can try, and I think that’s the beauty of both living and writing. I love this line: “You’ll understand at times the right words can’t be found / Or said so I rather show you through my action,” because I can really identify with it, especially with loved ones. Sometimes it’s not so easy to say how you feel, but you can always always show it through actions. Thank you so much for sharing, what’s written on your heart was communicated in more than just what you wrote.

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