Writing Through the Fire
A Poem by Lena. Form Created by Author.
First place recipient of the David Middleton Poetry Award. Previously published in The Mosaic Literary Magazine.
***
I don't write for you.
I write to get through -
Through the mire,
And the fire.
*
I write the words that replay
In my mind every day -
Words that sting,
Words that sing.
*
Thoughts are weights that pull like gravity,
Pulling me down - dark is all I see.
Helpless.
Hopeless.
*
I don't write for you.
I write to get through -
Through the mire,
And the fire.
*
To purge these thoughts that taunt,
And expel the ghosts that haunt-
Holding me captive,
Keeping me as slave.
*
To these thoughts that pull like gravity,
Pulling me down - dark is all I see.
Helpless.
Hopeless.
*
So I write the thoughts that push through.
Through words, I find the days renewed -
No longer captive,
Nor a helpless slave.
*
Through the mire,
And the fire -
With words I find my way through,
And my words are not for you.
🖤🖤🖤
*** If you would like to join Vocal+ and receive more returns on each story and be able to enter more challenges, please click HERE and use my referral link, which will help me earn a little more toward treats for my fur babies.
Author's Note: Thank you for honoring me with a read. If you've enjoyed what you've read, please click on the 🖤 and explore my other work. All reads, likes, tips, and pledges feed my writer's soul and give me the fuel to keep sitting down at my computer to bleed out words.
Xx - Lena
***
Copyright Lena Folkert 2022
Originally published on Medium.
About the Creator
Lena Beana
Alaskan Grown Freelance Writer 🤍 Lover of Prose
Former Deckhand & Barista 🤍 Always a Pleaser & Eggshell-Walker
Lifelong Animal Lover & Whisperer 🤍 Ever the Student & Seeker
Traveler 🤍 Dreamer 🤍 Wanderer
Forever Lost 🤍
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Comments (31)
awesome to read
Lena, I am not a poet, I can only read what others write, in envy. This is so beautiful,
You know what's so crazy is I found you through the vocal chat, and this was the second thing I read and it was so pretty and so relatable. I love that you write for you. ❤️
This is actually quite poignant in it’s way. It speaks to how some are writers not for accolades and recognition, but, because they have a simmering potpourri of words whirling in their minds. Words that will consume the writer, taking up full residence in his/her psyche. Bad tenants playing loud music and stomping around until your friends, family, and others around you are effected. Thumbing their noses at you until they are excised, evicted from the crannies by the power of the pen. The very best, most emoting writers write not for others, but for themselves. Because they must. Great job! I am your subscibbler. 👍😁🦅
I'm sorry I am so late to the party on this! So very relatable and so beautifully expressed Love it Lena!
This is very relatable. Words are for having, not for reading. We write for ourselves way before we write for anyone else, and some things we would never show, not even to a twin soul 👍
Great poem! Lovely read xx
I could hear a tune as I read this, so I started singing it. Lovely, Lena.
I know the feeling...
Interesting read, use of refrains and rhyme scheme. I write every day although not always poems. So this was a great reminder of how I feel deep in the heart. It's always a blessing when someone plucks the heartstrings. :)
Relatable. Agree with previous comment too... you could se this to music. Fab top story!
Those words are lyrics. :-)
Keep writing, we love it. 💛
Thanks Lena, this is wonderful.
Beautiful keep going - healing the soul through poetry is something I am trying to do myself -these lines below literally gave me shivers ! <3 "I don't write for you. I write to get through - Through the mire, And the fire. * To purge these thoughts that taunt, And expel the ghosts that haunt- Holding me captive, Keeping me as slave." Keep going you very talented <3
This was beautiful, honestly. Great work!
I, and I’m sure “we” can relate. Thank you for capturing it for all of us like a butterfly that must be handled gently. Subscribed as well.
Loved this so much! It's like a song
I feel this so much. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful Lena! <3
this is fabulous
I loved the chorus-like repetition! Thanks for writing this
Beautifully stated! Many hearts ❤️
Excellent words from a real poet
❤️left