Home » Poems » Michelle Faulkner » I Stand Here

I Stand Here

I stand here, on twisted limbs Teetering upon broken knees My feet stunted, unnatural Thickly traitorous to motion I force forward, to meet agony Blades of pain, penetrating Through torturous phantom minutes Of solitary, sacrificial steps These feet once danced A tricky beat Carried the obligation Of force And the belief of boldness Now these feet Are brittle and indiscreet Tomorrow is beyond four gray walls In swirling dresses and polished wood floors Colors of music, shades of rhythm For movement to flow, for grace to know So I stand here To make it so. 10/12/18

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

James Marshall Goff

Date: 2/9/2019 9:45:00 PM

"Thickly traitorous to motion" one of many poetic, masterful lines Michelle! Congrats! jimbo

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 2/9/2019 11:25:00 PM

Thank you, James ( or jimbo?) so glad you liked it!

Sandra L. Weiss

Date: 2/9/2019 5:30:00 PM

Congrats Michelle, on your big win. A strong poem!

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 2/9/2019 5:43:00 PM

Thank you so much, Sandra!

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 2/9/2019 4:03:00 PM

Michelle, what I love most about this poem is that although you have had some hard times, you can still envision a better life and you "stand here" determined to make it happen. When I researched "hope," this was an important element -- seeing something better and feeling motivated to pursue it. Congratulations on second place in my contest. Please send me a Soup Mail to let me know where I can send your prize. Best wishes, carolyn

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 2/9/2019 5:42:00 PM

Thank you, Carolyn, I'm very flattered (though I must confess the poem is fictional, but inspired by a news story I read)

Line Gauthier

Date: 10/21/2018 9:48:00 PM

Congrats on your podium finish, Michelle.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/22/2018 2:10:00 PM

Thank you,Line!

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/20/2018 8:09:00 PM

Pain, suffering, beauty and hope all appear in your momentous poem! Congrats on second place, Michelle!

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/21/2018 12:07:00 AM

Thank you for your wonderful comments, Kim!

M. L. Kiser

Date: 10/13/2018 10:17:00 AM

Superb imagery here, "Swirling dresses, polished wood floors Colors of music, shades of rhythm For movement to flow, for grace to know So I stand here To make it so-" Any poem that I can feel because the imagery is so good, I love. A fabulous read.

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/13/2018 3:57:00 PM

Thank you for such a gracious comment!

Pat Adams

Date: 10/12/2018 11:20:00 PM

So you have a dark side too, intriguing! I've had a "traitorous body" more than once, but that's a whole different story!...........Great pen!.....pat

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/13/2018 3:58:00 PM

Sometimes I try to go more serious, like this one - appreciate the comment!

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 10/12/2018 8:18:00 PM

I was picturing myself, Michelle, the time I tore my ACL and meniscus and bruised the bone and did something else I do not exactly remember - but I do know it was four things on the same day. I felt every inch of this second stanza. "I force forward, to meet agony The blade of pain, penetrating Through torturous phantom minutes Of solitary, sacrificial steps." This was five years ago, and I will never completely forget how afraid I was to try and walk again. A Great MEMORY jolter, Michelle!

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/13/2018 4:03:00 PM

I've dislocated my kneecaps more than once, hurts a lot, but not the kind of pain you experienced, thanks for your comment-

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/12/2018 3:36:00 PM

Not quite sure what brought this one on, perhaps your tribute to your mother, but it sure is a gut-wrencher. Best wishes always, Gershon

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/12/2018 4:23:00 PM

Actually I saw a news story about a boy with cerebral palsy who became a marathon runner and that was the inspiration-