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Between the Lines

I lost myself between the lines
Between the forces of you all
My lack of vocabulary stings
And makes me humble and sad
I wish to make this language mine
And write my singing lines with flow
But sometimes it hurts, this 
Being me, the halting lyrics
Of my stumbling tongue
The pain of almost but not just
Belonging here

Copyright © Darren White | Year Posted 2016

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White Wolf Date: 12/19/2016 4:06:00 PM Darren, I too wrote one called "Limited" about my lack of vocabulary! Haha. But we have the heart of a poet and that's what counts! Anyway, yours excels mine so you have nothing to worry about my friend! I'm always looking up words in the dictionary as I am unschooled and self-taught too! But I totally resonate with this poem mate! And I don't believe there are any real masters of the English language! The most important thing to do is keep writing. By the way, I love your work. Login to Reply Darren White Date: 12/19/2016 11:36:00 PM And I love yours :) And if you ever want to write something together, just yell! I need to gain more self-confidence, that is my main problem. If I can beat that, I am ready to write just anything and believe in it with the power of love :D

Anthony Mark Date: 12/9/2016 6:34:00 AM Limited vocabulary means never taking one single word for granted, immersing in the best way to position them, and knowing that " less, is a lot better" ...I am limited and mildly dyslexic, so just make words up when I need something tasty ...lol...you write good ...Ian Login to Reply Darren White Date: 12/9/2016 6:45:00 AM That is completely true. And it is what I do too, making words up. It's easier to do that in poetry than in prose, isn't it? I had a day of self-pity and doubts, but fortunately I have overcome it, and write and trod on ever since :) Thanks for commenting!

Mark Martin Date: 12/3/2016 12:04:00 PM I think most of us feel like this sometimes. You're amongst friends! :-) Login to Reply Darren White Date: 12/3/2016 12:22:00 PM Thanks, and yes, I guess you are right. I am feeling better now though.

Doug Vinson Date: 11/30/2016 11:04:00 AM Hey Darren - also, I would assert that things won't always be "black and white." Not saying there is any real need to doubt ourselves, per se, but if doubts are there, there is probably poetry within them. You have already given us beauty. Login to Reply Doug Vinson Date: 11/30/2016 12:50:00 PM Good deal, Darren. One of my faults is not knowing when to stop, and I may be using an overly-large hammer to pound on my point here, but while being "over it" sounds good, I think something would be lost had you not gone through it. Darren White Date: 11/30/2016 11:20:00 AM Thanks Doug :) I am over it now, thanks to all of you here.

Carol B. Date: 11/29/2016 6:37:00 PM Darren I always look forward to reading your poetry. You happen to be one of my favorites :) Login to Reply Darren White Date: 11/29/2016 11:45:00 PM Carol, you honour me! Thank you so much :)

Claudia Polydoro Date: 11/29/2016 5:01:00 PM You belong here like a glove, Darren... I know exactly what you're talking about, since english is not my first language either. But yours is flawless, and your poems are gorgeous. <3 Login to Reply Darren White Date: 11/29/2016 11:44:00 PM Claudia, thanks my friend :) We struggle with the language, but we make poems nonetheless, and yours are wonderful!

CayCay Jennings Date: 11/29/2016 4:16:00 PM Who are you? Not the guy I write that writes in better English than many Americans do or can. There is no tell. There is no sign. Your write so very well. Leave doubts behind, they aren't real and therefore, they are a waste of time. The only person who feels this way about your language skills, is you. As for me, I'm totally impressed and blown away by it. Your poetry does not disappoint so don't you dare disappoint it. You are multi-gifted and I'm running out of characters.. help me Login to Reply Darren White Date: 11/30/2016 11:17:00 AM Stinking thinking. ... I get you and I actually agree... Next time this pity party happens I will remember this! This honestly helps. Thanks! Doug Vinson Date: 11/30/2016 10:58:00 AM Wow, CayCay, Best Comments Ever. Good vibrations to Darren and to you - I positively love what you wrote; shaking my head and laughing right now - just so pleased with everything. CayCay Jennings Date: 11/30/2016 7:57:00 AM Sweetie, it isn't about helping me; it is about keeping your negativity volume on mute or learning to change the channel when doubts show up. It is stinking thinking trying to steal your truth from you; the 'devil's carousel' takes us all on an occasional ride, but he is a LIAR. Next time it happens, we can have a pity party. Are you familiar with Patsy Cline? Cause pity parties involve her music, bubble baths and tissues. Sometimes, we all need a pity party! Your gifts are many and at a young age, your waters already run so very deep that I can see why 'stinking thinking' would target taking you down as a great prize, if that makes sense. But win you will as I care still. Darren White Date: 11/29/2016 11:44:00 PM CayCay, you blow me away now, and yes, you are right of course. Doubting myself is not just a waste of time, it's also counter productive. I will help you by saying I will just go on and not write little whining poems like this anymore :) Claudia Polydoro Date: 11/29/2016 5:02:00 PM Beautifully said CayCay ;) I wholeheartedly agree!!!

Doug Vinson Date: 11/29/2016 3:31:00 PM Darren, doubt not. Were I to try and criticize this poem, I couldn't do a doggone thing. While it's not a strictly linear deal, the more we do, the better we get. Writing about what you know and feel - you've half the battle won. Login to Reply Darren White Date: 11/29/2016 11:42:00 PM Thanks so much, Doug, I will try my best and not doubt myself anymore.

Tim Smith Date: 11/29/2016 3:01:00 PM I adore your style...take a look at my poem Silent Letters if you have a chance...it is on this theme Login to Reply Darren White Date: 11/29/2016 11:41:00 PM I did, I happen to love that poem of yours...'Between the lines I rest' is one of my favourite lines. Okay, so we all have this struggle from time to time.... Thanks for liking my style :)

Jan Allison Date: 11/29/2016 2:35:00 PM You belong here perfectly my friend and reveal a little bit more of 'you' with every line. You have a love of words and share your passion with us:-) I think we all struggle with the right words at times !!! hugs Jan xx7 Login to Reply Darren White Date: 11/29/2016 11:39:00 PM Thank you Jan, yeah I guess we sometimes all struggle, right? Yesterday that hit me suddenly.