I’m stripped soul-naked standing bare
To a universe made of blank paper
Its mocking nakedness haunts me
Seductively taunts me with its vapor
I see my words as pieces of my deepest soul
Shattered apart in my passions throes
Then brought together in a multi-hued mosaic
A stained glass window, if you will, of prose
My words reaching through time with voices of one from long ago
My words reaching for the vernacular of the street griot, ya kno’
Words lose me in the folds of its scripts
And lets me discover myself yet again
Words listen to me when no one else wants to
Words speaks to me in a way no one else can
Sometimes my words scroll across my monitor
To let me say what I want to say
Sometimes I resort to pen and paper,
To express my words in some other way
It sometimes scares me to the core, being so beholden to such
I’m scared of being pushed away, I care for my words so much
Yes, I cater to word’s selfish lusts
It’s a call I’ll always heed
Words give off a satisfaction
That’s almost carnal in need
But lately my words are not happy
With the scratch of the mighty pen
There’s this new desire to be heard
And it’s a most frightening yen
Paper no longer holds them, my words have something to say
But in the excitement to be heard, my words get in their own way
I risk the bleat of my vocals failing
Changing the meanings I devise
Yes, my words on paper are lovely
My words from my voice are otherwise
But words have trusted me all this time
In the handling of its care
Spoken word is the natural evolution
If only I take up the dare
So, I put my trust in my words, as it puts in me alike
I take a prayer and a breath and step up to this mic
dVerse Poets Pub | Poetics: Take a risk!
Tricia at dVerse challenges us to explore the theme of risk. Whether it is tackling difficult subjects or laying bare a personal struggle in vivid detail, exploring a new writing form that you may find “risky” or unconventional; perhaps the risk we take falling in love.
Write on any topic as long the word “risk” is used,
Raivenne-lations 
“Words get in my way” …. me too .. often. Your poem is well done. No words got in the way. Safe!
Thank you!
A great write! I especially enjoyed these sections:
Yes, my words on paper are lovely
My words from my voice are otherwise
Spoken word is the natural evolution
If only I take up the dare
So, I put my trust in my words, as it puts in me alike
I take a prayer and a breath and step up to this mic
Well done 🙂
Thank you Sunra.
Nicely written poem, and the use of paper as an image throughout.
Thanks!
Raivenne,
Oh how I love this penetrating, revealing look at the risk of sharing words that reveal the deepest core of feelings and also giving voice, literally, to those words. I don’t think we ever really hear what we sound like to others, but that just adds to the fear and uncertainty, all of which you give voice to so beautifully.
pax,
dora
Thank you, Dora.
What I feel here is how we go from the written word (somewhat safe) to speaking them out… two steps in the journey of becoming a poet.
You got it Björn. Thank you.
These lines were powerful to me, “I risk the bleat of my vocals failing, Changing the meanings I devise” A lot of honesty here. I think we get worried our words will be misinterpreted or the true meaning won’t come out just perfect. It’s not easy to write emotions. There is always room for interpretation with art and it takes a lot of courage to share for that reason sometimes. I enjoyed this piece and your honest voice! 💝
Thank you for a wonderful prompt. I am always intrigued when a commenter has a view on my poems I never considered. Most of the time it’s lovely, but I confess every now and them I’m left scratching my head at the thought process that got them to a place so very different from where I thought I was leading. 🙂
I also did think after I wrote that, you may have meant more reading aloud poetry is the main concern, or speaking your truth aloud. I’m pleased the prompt pushed you here!
This. It’s so powerful, and it strikes right at the heart of the relationship we have with words – which, strangely enough, defies our effort to PLACE into words. But the way you stand here, with the thoughts in this poem, reminds of those moments that only takes seconds in real-time but expands and unfolds wide in our imagination. Beautiful post!
“those moments that only takes seconds in real-time but expands and unfolds wide in our imagination” Yes! Nailed it. Thanks Lanie.
“I’m stripped soul-naked standing bare
To a universe made of blank paper
Its mocking nakedness haunts me
Seductively taunts me with its vapor”
loved that first stanze, great visuals, and loved that ending too. you go!
* curtsies * Thank you, Phillip.
Nicely done!
Thanks!
As a poets, I can relate to your words. It is scary isn’t it but there is also satisfaction when words and lines fall in line, like perfectly in your head. This was an amazing read tonight.
Thank you, Grace.
I really get this. I have organised some community spoken word events in recent years. My first time, many of us were wary about stepping away from the script and up to the microphone. I still feel uncertain, but hey Raivenne let’s lift the curtain!
Thank you! It’s a mixed opinion for me. I started out with recitals before I had an online presence. Some things are great for spoken word: the appropriate silences and pauses, yells and whispers. Other things must be seen: If I say “the sun rose anew this mourning.” half the meaning is lost to the listener who cannot hear a sonnet from a glosa from a pyramid from a… from a…
I do miss good old fashioned poetry recitals.
For me, ‘stepping up to the mic’ was a great risk, but one I needed to take, online at least. How I’d feel doing it in person, I don’t know…pretty nervous!
Before I had an online presence I my words were heard at my local Barnes & Noble book store that held family friendly recitals. By the time my local B&N stopped hosting, I had my blog where I could really show how I play with words and forms. I have not done a recital since (2010ish?), but I would like to get back to recitals. Not spoken word – most of my work is not that type of poetry, but recitals.
It sounds great! Perhaps you can join dVerse for the live event in two weeks time 😊
My goodness this is piercingly beautiful!! 💝💝 I especially like; “I risk the bleat of my vocals failing/Changing the meanings I devise/Yes, my words on paper are lovely/My words from my voice are otherwise/But words have trusted me all this time/In the handling of its care/Spoken word is the natural evolution/If only I take up the dare.” 🙂
Thank you, Sanaa.