Killick

Killick Poetry Contest // Sponsored by: Craig Cornish
( 7th Place )

Written: August 26, 2025


I never chose the burden
but life pressed stone and rope into my hands.
I lowered it into the unsettled sea,
and waited for balance to return.
The sea murmurs of leaving,
of slipping past every safe haven,
yet I stay, steady on hidden weight
gripped by the understated endurance.

Some may laugh at its rawness,
a patchwork anchor of scraps and stone
but I trust its unshaken clutch.
It does not shine,
it does not speak
yet it keeps me from dissolving.
The killick teaches me this:
strength is not perfection...
it is simply staying when all else pulls away.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025


Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 9/4/2025 6:35:00 AM
Love the thought - the staying power of a killick stone when all else pulls away. Thanks for sharing.
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 9/4/2025 7:47:00 AM
Thank you.
Date: 8/30/2025 7:57:00 PM
A lot in these lines - you did this prompt very beautifully and emotively...."Some may laugh at its rawness, a patchwork anchor of scraps and stone but I trust its unshaken clutch. It does not shine, it does not speak yet it keeps me from dissolving."
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 8/31/2025 4:06:00 AM
Thank you so much for this thoughtful feedback! I’m glad those lines spoke to you they were written straight from the heart.
Date: 8/28/2025 9:03:00 PM
I love this poem. I love the strong last lines.
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 8/28/2025 9:07:00 PM
Thank you so much!
Date: 8/26/2025 4:04:00 PM
beautiful words about how one's resilience is the best type of killick. Wisdom and insight in your poem Best wishes with this entry in the contest, hugs, Sara
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 8/26/2025 10:29:00 PM
Thank you so much, Sara! hugs right back to you, my friend!
Date: 8/26/2025 2:52:00 PM
There's a lot to say about sticking with it and not turning away, Rowena. Well-written poem with much wisdom included. Thanks for sharing it with us, my friend. Bill
Login to Reply
Velasco Avatar
Rowena Velasco
Date: 8/26/2025 10:28:00 PM
Thank you kindly, Bill! I truly appreciate your thoughtful words. I’m glad the message came through, and it means a lot to share with supportive friends like you.
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter