14 Comments
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Glenn Barker's avatar

I'm here if you need me Beth. I am happy to give back where I can. 💚

Beth Brooke's avatar

You are a treasure!

Glenn Barker's avatar

Wow; there's some devastating stuff here Beth, whoever the narrator is (if you get my meaning).

That Mark Twain quote about the two certainties in life (death and taxes) was way off the mark. He left out that third certainty in life: trauma. It's what makes us who we become.

The narrator had a dreadful time, and though our own upbringing or life trauma may be different, the impact and decades required to realise, process and heal it are the same heavy emotional weight. We don't all make it back to wholeness. You have.

Beth Brooke's avatar

I love reading your responses- you give me something to ponder every time.

Glenn Barker's avatar

Thank you Beth. I do what I can to reflect, understand the joy and iniquity of life journeys. 💚

Beth Brooke's avatar

I could do with you now - I am trying to put together a new set to send out to publishers. The poems are a vague memoir- I am going with Margaret Atwood idea of memories being like a hall of mirrors- not entirely reliable but they make us what we are

Glenn Barker's avatar

I'm here if you need me Beth. I am happy to give back where I can. 💚

Janice Dempsey's avatar

I like these. Might try a similar self-naming (or family naming) freewrite. I have dozens of files full of poems I've given up on. I tried to revive a few recently for an open mic themed 'Strange Love' and found my original decision to bury them showed unusually good judgement.

Beth Brooke's avatar

😁 Pleased that I might have given you an idea for something!

DRNaturegirl's avatar

I like both of them, Beth. They resonate with me, too.

Beth Brooke's avatar

I’m pleased. I recall the horror of some of the people at my stanza group when I shared the first poem

DRNaturegirl's avatar

Why in earth would there be ‘horror’ Beth? I find that very odd! I’m so glad you’ve re- shared them.

Beth Brooke's avatar

People who don’t believe a parent or other family member would say such things and think they need to pity you

DRNaturegirl's avatar

Ah. OK. I guess.They obviously don’t know much about people’s lives then!