Akkina Downing Poet Free verse

Tears When My Fingers Hurt - a Collaboration With James Swartz

When my fingers hurt 
the pain binds and forms 
at the base of my greatest fear

I never knew fear
Until it knocked on my door
So fierce that 
What words were on the tip of my tongue 
Are drying up into dust in my mouth 

The taste that lingers a lifetime 
a sickness summoned for the saints 
to strafe the fear growing inside the soul

My heartbeat escalates to full speed
But my body is numb to the floor
And my mind is in a twirling tornado 
Tears of fear rush down into streams

When my fingers hurt and I can not write 
this fear beckons to my mind 
as I use the verbs to clear the nerves

Can you hear the drops of my tears
Drumming to the beat of my fear

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Paul Callus April 16, 2018 at 4:05 PM An excellent collaboration, Akkina & James. Most of us have experienced fear of the known or the unknown, but few can express it so well in poetic language. Isn't the fear of not being able to write also heart wrenching! Best Regards // paul

Robert Lindley December 16, 2017 at 9:58 AM TRULY SUPERB POETRY WRITTEN IN HARMONY AS IF ONE VOICE! Congratulations to you both on creating this wondrous and inspiring piece my friends! A fav.....

Connie Marcum Wong November 30, 2017 at 8:20 PM Congratulations to both of you on having this wonderful poem honored for POTD! : ) Akkina Downing November 30, 2017 at 8:33 PM Our appreciation for your sweet comment Ms. Connie :) thank you so much! Hugs and smiles :)

Silent One November 28, 2017 at 3:04 PM Congrats on POTD to both of you.. Akkina Downing November 28, 2017 at 3:45 PM We thank you so much Silent One... hugs and smiles always :)

Eve Roper November 27, 2017 at 10:14 PM Congratulations on POTD, Akkina & James. Akkina Downing November 28, 2017 at 10:12 AM James and I thank you Eve, we appreciate your comment :) hugs and smiles :)

Anne-Lise Andresen November 27, 2017 at 2:13 PM - Congratulations to both of you :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Akkina Downing November 27, 2017 at 2:31 PM We thank you so much dear Anne... hugs and smiles :)

Arturo Michael November 27, 2017 at 12:22 PM There's a lot of fear there my dear...Really nice poetic expressions used in this poem...Congratulations to both of you... Akkina Downing November 27, 2017 at 12:45 PM James and I appreciate your support dear Arturo. We thank you so much... hugs and smiles :)

Freddie Robinson Jr. November 27, 2017 at 11:02 AM Simply beautiful poetry, Akkina and James. Classic line ... Can you hear the drops of my tears drumming to the beat of my fear. Kudos for POTD. Love and more love forever. Akkina Downing November 27, 2017 at 12:43 PM You made me smile and happy with your sweetest comment. Thank you so much dearest Freddie. Your support means a great deal to us.... hugs and smiles

Tracy Storrier November 27, 2017 at 9:36 AM Excellent poem, thank you both x Congratulations on POTD Akkina Downing November 27, 2017 at 12:42 PM Awe thank you so much Tracy. Hugs and smiles :)

Vijay Pandit November 27, 2017 at 7:11 AM Congrats to you Akkina and James--well deserved pick for the POTD!! Akkina Downing November 27, 2017 at 12:40 PM James and I appreciate your support Vijay. Thank you so much! Hugs and smiles :)

Maria Williams November 27, 2017 at 7:00 AM I am so happy to see this as POTD . Congratulation you two Akkina and James....Maria xxx Akkina Downing November 27, 2017 at 12:39 PM We are so honor for this and truly grateful. Thank you so much my lovely and sweet friend Maria. Always happy and appreciate your support ... hugs and smiles :)

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart November 27, 2017 at 6:19 AM Fantastic pen you two! Congratulations on potd :) xomo x2! Akkina Downing November 27, 2017 at 12:36 PM James and I thank so much Maureen, we truly appreciate your support :) hugs and smiles :)

Susan Ashley November 27, 2017 at 5:25 AM Akkina and James, returning with congratulations for POTD honors for this awesome collaboration. Warmest wishes always.. Akkina Downing November 27, 2017 at 12:35 PM James and I are very happy for your super lovely comment my dearest Susan :) thank you so much..hugs and smiles :)

Winged Warrior November 27, 2017 at 3:43 AM Wow!...what a wonderful collab Akkina and James...And Congrats on POTD!!!...my friends...god bless...*WW* Akkina Downing November 27, 2017 at 12:30 PM "WW" we thank you so much, I am smiling a white one :) hugs and smiles my dear friend :)

Tim Smith November 26, 2017 at 5:42 PM A lovely dance you two...I like it Akkina Downing November 26, 2017 at 6:41 PM Awe, thanks so much Tim, we truly appreciate your support... hugs and smiles :)

Anne-Lise Andresen November 26, 2017 at 1:03 PM - A great co-write from both of you ... with ink and tears - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Akkina Downing November 26, 2017 at 3:02 PM James and I thank you very much, Anne... hugs and smiles :)

Edward Mccall November 26, 2017 at 8:04 AM What an amazing collaboration by the two of you. as someone who suffers from cronic back pain I can relate to this poem. I have shed those tears my self. Well done you two well done into my faves it goes. Akkina Downing November 26, 2017 at 8:46 AM James and I thank you my dear friend Ed. We really appreciate your support... hugs and smiles :)

Silent One November 26, 2017 at 5:55 AM Tears are silent, because they cleanse the soul from all the pain.. This is very deep and emotional.. An excellent collaboration by the both of you.. Akkina Downing November 26, 2017 at 6:43 AM James and I thank you very much. Your support means very much to us... hugs and smiles :)

James Edward Lee Sr. November 25, 2017 at 6:35 PM Akkina & James, as I've told another poetess I love collabs and duets. Stellar write. Keep doing what you do. wonder verse. ---James :) Akkina Downing November 25, 2017 at 8:16 PM We thank you kindly ,James :)

Susan Ashley November 25, 2017 at 1:14 PM Wow! Such a sensational write Akkina and James with memorable lines and wonderfully 'anxious' imagery. Your styles blend smoothly together in your intimate poem of fear and anxiety and your last two lines are brilliant A great collaboration! Akkina Downing November 25, 2017 at 3:10 PM James and I thank you my lovely and fine lady poetess friend :) xoxo

James Swartz November 25, 2017 at 12:10 PM Thank you Akkina for writing this with me. It was fun and i think it came out great! Akkina Downing November 25, 2017 at 3:07 PM It was really fun james and thank you so much... hugs and smiles :)

Joseph May November 25, 2017 at 9:14 AM I like how you "use the verbs to clear your nerves"...Very nice collaboration Akkina and James Akkina Downing November 25, 2017 at 3:06 PM James and I thank you Jospeh very much... hugs and smiles :)

Maria Williams November 25, 2017 at 7:36 AM Well written Akina and James - a seamless write - I cannot tell who wrote which part. Well done, you have poignantly portrayed the fear of loss in the poem - a great collaboration my dear friend ...Maria xxx Akkina Downing November 25, 2017 at 3:05 PM Thank you my dear Maria, we appreciate your lovely comment. Means a lot! Hugs and smiles :)

Jan Allison November 25, 2017 at 7:32 AM you portray fear and anxiety so brilliantly, a fabulous collaboration Akkina and James:-) hugs Jan xx Akkina Downing November 25, 2017 at 3:04 PM Thanks so much Jan... hugs and smiles :)