Michelle Faulkner Poet Free verse

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

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

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

James Marshall Goff February 9, 2019 at 9:45 PM "Thickly traitorous to motion" one of many poetic, masterful lines Michelle! Congrats! jimbo Michelle Faulkner February 9, 2019 at 11:25 PM Thank you, James ( or jimbo?) so glad you liked it!

Carolyn Devonshire February 9, 2019 at 4:03 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 February 9, 2019 at 5:42 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 October 21, 2018 at 9:48 PM Congrats on your podium finish, Michelle. Michelle Faulkner October 22, 2018 at 2:10 PM Thank you,Line!

Kim Rodrigues October 20, 2018 at 8:09 PM Pain, suffering, beauty and hope all appear in your momentous poem! Congrats on second place, Michelle! Michelle Faulkner October 21, 2018 at 12:07 AM Thank you for your wonderful comments, Kim!

M. L. Kiser October 13, 2018 at 10:17 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 October 13, 2018 at 3:57 PM Thank you for such a gracious comment!

Pat Adams October 12, 2018 at 11:20 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 October 13, 2018 at 3:58 PM Sometimes I try to go more serious, like this one - appreciate the comment!

Caren Krutsinger October 12, 2018 at 8:18 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 October 13, 2018 at 4:03 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 October 12, 2018 at 3:36 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 October 12, 2018 at 4:23 PM Actually I saw a news story about a boy with cerebral palsy who became a marathon runner and that was the inspiration-