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Aug 01, 2024
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Cornfields and Creeks
Cornfields and Creeks
Written by Kelly Ann Wilson
They said I had the family gift,
So I wanted to honour it.
Couldn’t they tell
I had relentless stage fright?
That I was always shaking
On the inside?
They said I was a tough kid,
So I tried to seem brave,
No matter what they did.
Couldn’t they see
The quiet agony in my eyes?
That I was always screaming
On the inside?
They said I made myself a victim.
So, I never again sought safety in them.
Couldn’t they feel
How he was draining all of my light?
That I was slowly disappearing
On the inside?
They said that I left this place
To study in the city,
So I couldn’t call myself country.
Couldn’t they remember
The farmer’s daughter running free and wild?
That I was cornfields and creeks
On the inside?
They feigned their versions of me
And I let them be too loud.
Now, here I am, I’m 33
And time can’t be unwound.
Who would I be
If for all of these years
I had just been myself?
I hope I get the chance
To find out.
Photography and design by Kelly Ann Wilson
© 2024 Kelly Ann Wilson
Written August 1, 2024
© 2024 Kelly Ann Wilson
About This Poem
Last Few Words: Read my writer’s blog at https://kwilsonarts.wordpress.com
Style/Type: Free verse
Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft
Comments
Geezer
10 months 4 weeks ago
Stage fright...
is a terrible thing.
I cannot imagine having it every single time that you get up there in front of people.
I managed to conquer my stage fright, but I understand that there are many who can't,
and still get up and perform or speak in public! I am in awe of anyone who does this.
The only thing that I see that might improve this, is in the line:
"They feigned their versions of me." [In view of the line following this one], I would say something like.
They whispered their versions of me
"and I let them be too loud."
Of course, you can use this or any other comments/advice I give you or discard it.
Make up your own line. You have written of a silent scream, and I understand. Good job! ~ Geez.
.