Heather Ober Poet Free verse

Careful Cursive

I write each letter by hand in careful cursive. 
I want every sentence to be pretty,
to look feminine and delicate -
to soften the ugliness you face everyday.
After each line, I let the ink dry.
You don't deserve smudges.
You don't deserve any of this.

My words are foolish, 
full of meaningless descriptions
of meaningless events. 
But I can't sit here at this polished desk -
in this cozy room in this quiet house 
on this peaceful street
and write what I'm really thinking.
I can't be selfish.

So I keep writing my careful cursive
on my pretty stationary.
I keep sending my meaningless letters
into the ugly world - to wherever you are.
And no matter how many times
I open the mailbox, I'm never prepared 
for that hideous stamp,
that heartless phrase:
"Return to Sender."


Written: 1/27/2013
For Michael's "Boomerang" contest

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Skat A February 25, 2013 at 7:15 PM a sweet win~SKAT

Michael Dom February 23, 2013 at 4:44 PM Wow! This is so sad. It's a beautiful poem. I love the new window you've given me. Congratulations!

Mandy Tams The Golden Girl February 20, 2013 at 1:43 AM Many Congratulations on your win Heather luv xx

Debbie Guzzi February 19, 2013 at 6:37 PM Ahh just like the elvis song Return to Sender ...Congrad's Light & Love Always

Poet Destroyer A February 19, 2013 at 4:24 PM Heather, love your winning poem in Michael's "boomerang contest" always & forever :-) LINDA

Eileen Manassian February 17, 2013 at 1:03 PM Very very impressed by your poem, Heather. It's so deep and profound...and sad. Thanks for sharing this. I'm touched.

Frank Guglietta February 7, 2013 at 3:20 PM Nice voice in your writing

Margherita Russo January 29, 2013 at 2:20 PM I like your poem. thanks for sharing

Joseph May January 28, 2013 at 5:12 PM very creative write Heather....best wishes

Andrea Dietrich January 28, 2013 at 2:49 PM another fave too!

Andrea Dietrich January 28, 2013 at 2:49 PM wow, this is amazing!! If I don't see it on the winners list, I will be shocked! How did you make such a beautiful and sensitive poem from that topic? Only you could do it!

Isaiah Zerbst January 28, 2013 at 12:39 PM Incredibly touching with the sadness and loyalty. It seems that you have hit on a good way of just how much to say and how much not to. In reply to your last comment, I just love studying the middle ages and reading books with older English. I even read the 1611 King James Bible because I think the language is so pretty. Did you know that the language used in it never existed at any given time in history? I have been told that it represents the epitomy of the English language.

Harry Horsman January 28, 2013 at 9:49 AM wow Heather, this is so good, good luck in contest,,

Richard Lamoureux January 28, 2013 at 8:49 AM This is going straight to my favorites. I didn't know it was for the boomerang contest so I loved the surprise ending. I think this is an excellent interpretation of the contest.

Russell Sivey January 27, 2013 at 7:10 PM This is a very creative entry into Michael's contest! A brilliant write that you have written here Heather! I really loved reading this delightful poem this evening! What an enlightening piece, Great Work!!