Read Poems by Charlotte Puddifoot

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Sea Pearl

I'm fifteen   darkwater dreaming or drowning
adrift and alone on the ocean of the bathroom floor
tossed on tidal waves of pain   pearled with perspiration
a clattering clutch of shells contracting
shingle shushing stifled shrieks
the shucked shell of my womb
emptying like an oyster snared
by umbilicals of seaweed   Far away
hazy-faint through saltwater mists I see
a little pearl glistening   floating and rocking in red sea

I'm all at sea   without anchor on tides   a boat floating free
seeking a mooring in the harbour of the doctor's consulting room
her voice a deep dive   anchoring me with subtle sympathy
through muffled underwater sounds   sea-shadowy fog shawling me

I want to tell her about the dream   submerged stories of a tiny pearl
maroon-mangled and foam-spangled   slipping slowly from me
into scarlet sea   drifting away   sinking to darkwater depths

Driving home my mother's rings clink like shells against the steering wheel
and a shaming sea of silence fills the car   pretty shells shucked and shocked

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Brandy Nicole Date: 5/31/2024 7:42:00 PM ' shell of my womb emptying like an oyster snared by umbilicals of seaweed. ' I've never experienced this, but I hear it's painful. The emotional pain is worse, from what I've heard. To go through this at such a young age. So difficult, indeed. Your thoughts caress softly around me and my heart. A tender, yet emotional choice for Poem of the Day. My best to you, Charlotte. Hugs, Brandy
Kim Rodrigues Date: 5/31/2024 7:14:00 PM Congrats on POTD, dear Charlotte! I feel your angst. Sounds terrifying…heartbreaking…and lonely too. Hugs.
Buhagiar Victor Date: 5/31/2024 3:48:00 PM Congratulations on your POTD.
Sara Kendrick Date: 5/31/2024 1:41:00 PM Whoa!! I am not sure, but I think this one is saying something about mental health or abortion. Congratulations on your POTD. Way to go. Sara K
Nancy Kaufman Date: 5/31/2024 12:07:00 PM Dear Charlotte, I love the use of metaphors through out this emotive POTD. It is so well done and you are a very brave person to share this very traumatic experience you endured at such a tender age. Blessings to you..
I Am Anaya Date: 5/31/2024 10:41:00 AM Bravery excels in such a revealing expose'. Nothing to hang on to, unmoored and adrift. Emotional isolation, clinging onto an illusion. Love the impact of your imagination Charlotte, congratulations on POTD & POTW on the same day! You're the fourth ever to have that since I've been here. hugs :)
Bill Baker Date: 5/31/2024 10:12:00 AM Congratulations on your POTD, Charlotte! Enjoy your special day of recognition, my friend. Bill
Linda Alice Fowler Date: 5/31/2024 9:37:00 AM Wow. Really intense and morbid.A child without compassion from her frustrated mom. The free verse form and metaphorical voice you use is remarkable. Congratulations on the honor of POTD! :)
Suzette Richards Date: 5/31/2024 9:34:00 AM It almost feels disrespectful to use the word "congratulations" in terms of the POD, Charlotte. I found this very moving and an honest expression. Hugs, Suzette
Arlo Parker Date: 5/31/2024 8:41:00 AM Devastating piece...reading over and over...forget POTD, poignant revelation. I'm sorry :o(
Susan Ashley Date: 5/31/2024 8:10:00 AM Dear Charlotte, returning to your breathtaking, heartbreaking poem with my heartiest congratulations for your poem's recognition with POTD honors. Rightfully and well deserved! Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Mat Ignacio Date: 5/31/2024 7:45:00 AM nicely expressed - congratulations
Malabika Ray Choudhury Date: 5/31/2024 6:55:00 AM Congratulations on receiving POTD with a powerful poem. Best wishes ~
Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/31/2024 5:19:00 AM Dear Charlotte, Your heartfelt poem is so deserving of POTD and Congratulations my dear friend, Blessings, Daniel
Tom Woody Date: 5/31/2024 4:48:00 AM Potd and potw same week. It's celebrate Charlotte time. Awesome!
Sara Etgen-Baker Date: 5/31/2024 4:17:00 AM returning to congratulate you on this powerfully poignant poem. Enjoy your special day of recognition!
Paul Bell Date: 5/31/2024 3:46:00 AM I would imagine there are a lot of hard decisions in life, but that life or death decision at fifteen is monumental. Maybe just as well, the backstreet clinics have gone. In saying that, every maternity hospital seems to have the holy placard wavers outside them now. Well done on, POTD. I'll have a word, see if we can get you POTD, everyday. lol
Karen Jones Date: 5/31/2024 3:37:00 AM Wow your powerful painful poem of angst really engages! Congratulations on potd Charlotte!
Unseeking Seeker Date: 5/31/2024 3:24:00 AM Poignant, painful, piercing. Powerfully & creatively penned. The after burn of pain lingers. Congratulations on POTD, Charlotte
Beryl Edmonds Date: 5/31/2024 1:25:00 AM Charlotte, I’m also moved by your poetic free verse/story. One can imagine the pain, the shame and the heartache of a young girl on the cusp of womanhood going through such an horrific ordeal. Congratulations on receiving the honour of poem of the day… Beryl
Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 5/30/2024 9:11:00 AM Dearest Charlotte, I'm deeply moved. Your ink beautifully captures the tumultuous mix of pain and fragile hope. The imagery of the sea and shells is incredibly powerful, evoking both the physical and emotional turmoil of your experience. I liked the way you blend in the doctor’s subtle sympathy and the poignant silence with your mother is heart-wrenching—such a profound and evocative piece. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel
Susan Ashley Date: 5/30/2024 8:43:00 AM Dear Charlotte, you never fail to touch my soul with the soulful and technical depth, beauty and richness of your writing. Such profound poetic expression; emotive, evocative.. the dramatic and dynamic use of language, imagery and metaphors elevates your poetry to another realm of poignancy, potency and artistry. I deeply felt your verse physically, emotionally, poetically, especially your last two lines that capture the polarized emotions for a powerful finale. A top winner and Fav! Warmest wishes, my inspiring friend.. ~Susan
Tonye George Date: 5/29/2024 5:26:00 PM A lovely piece Charlotte. Lots of thinking in my head about this one. I was going to say maybe it was a cryptic pregnancy and she had no idea because the signs aren't always there. Then I recalled the age, 15. Yeah! My mother's silence would have driven me insane and I'd have just stayed back at the hospital instead. Tom once told me to check your poems, he was sure I'd love them. Fancied the alliterations. Cheers.
Tom Woody Date: 5/29/2024 5:16:00 PM Goodness I don't think anyone could describe in poetic terms a miscarriage quite like our Charlotte Puddifoot. Tragic and with no happy ending. Sometimes real life is like that. Glad I got here first. Yip yip

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