You ask me to come out of my shell,
when you know why I went in it.
It's cold out there, darling,
on my tender skin.
I could describe my shell for you.
There's a wall around my garden,
a smile on my face to prevent
unwanted questions, a glib answer
to satisfy those who don't really
want to know.
Inside my shell is just me,
a human being with a wounded heart.
I have a few friends
who know where it hurts
and don't press me there.
Thank you for being one.
A contest entry
- All About You by pattyann4500.
800 points, ended June 12, 12 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What do you think?
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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Such a tender,
honest and sincere poem that you have written and I believe you know that there are many others who will read this silently to themselves and sense a reflection peeping out at them! I know I did and so your poem, although sad, also had keys to survival built in and sometimes has to be accepted and then "on to life to see what beauty I may find! Thank you for sharing this keeper! j y
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Thank you Joy.
Life can put us through the wringer, can't it? The great thing is that we can't stay flat! 
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Good on you for the trophy!
I enjoyed your poem. That is the first test.
"I could describe my shell for you.
There's a wall around my garden"
The image of shell and garden do come suddenly together.
Yet, a good poem.
"a smile on my face to prevent
unwanted questions" is a very frank admission for your persona.
Thank you. Ron.
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Thank you very much Ron.
We all have a public persona and a private garden - this poem is personal and transpersonal, as you see several people replied that they are like this too. I am well pleased with that.
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Yesss!
Very evocative poem, especially the part about hiding behind a smile. I lived like that for years and years, and no one ever guessed...as far as I know.
Silence, the best defense. congratulations on the trophy too.
Terry
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Thanks for your comment and applause Terry. There are special friends who know the hot issues, but since they are friends it is not a problem. The hard part is finding which ones to trust - we can mistake from time to time.
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I really like this. The rythem and flow were very good, though I wasn't overly fond of the last line for the first stanza. The rest of this was very good, though. This poem was one I could really relate to because that is "soooooo" me! I really enjoyed this one Margaret.
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Thanks Paulette, I'm glad you like this, and also I appreciate the pointer to that line. The rhythm was a little off, and I amended it to end on a strong syllable.
I think we all protect ourselves in some style. If we pass through life without hurting or being hurt, it is a miracle.
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I understand this so well. You are being quite honest about your inability to overcome that shell of yours, and you have drawn limits with others for your own protection. Understood and respected. A lovely poem and a lovely border as well. What better than a dragon to provide a shell. Thank you so much for your entry. Patricia
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Thank you Patricia! I am of two minds about having a shell; first, I should not mind the roughness of others, second, I do.
None of us is perfect yet, and may never be, but I give what I can.
I have a sonnet about dragons somewhere which I made this bg for; the gold on its flanks looks vulnerable to me.
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Your shell has such lovely windows for your luminosity, and there is nothing glib about that love. There is a solace in quiet that provides a place for harmony to heal a wounded heart. I think it's home, and ours to protect.
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Thank you dear Karen. It comes down to the question of what, and with whom to share, and how much. There is a blanket benevolence, and some special affection, and people know who they are!
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Great poem, Margaret and one with an universal theme which brings the response, yes, that is how I also feel! Good luck in the contest (love the golden dragons)!
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Thanks so much Maggie! I hoped that the reader would identify with my poem, and I am happy that you found your own experience in it.
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Hi Margaret!
Dear friend I hold dear... I can so relate so often when I see you I tip toe by holding you in my prayers. I know you are often busy with life and family beyond those of us who care about you up here in cyber space. Other times I just have to say "Hi" because I really do want to know how you are and what's going on where you are... just don't want to pry. I always hope the best for you... so seal that thought with a prayer for the same. I just thought I'd stop by and let you know I was just now tip toeing by. SEA
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You are very sweet, Sea always ready with a hug. Attention is hard to spread fairly, try as we do.
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It's better a shell than a wall
A shell is less solid, that's all
Snail mail is the way
At the start of the day
But sometimes it's better to call.
I'm the worst communicator in the world. Give me a gold for that? Sometimes it's better just to accept folk as they are. Nothing wrong with a bit of dignity. Yours aye. K. -
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We are all different on the outside, and all the same on the inside - the yolk of life. If we take it with humour instead of as a burden, all is well.
Thanks for tangential comments, they are just as good.
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