Poetry See Its Own Reflection
Poetry is the ugly step-daughter of prose
the awkward duckling becoming a swan
It doesn’t know who it is
or where it belongs
until it flies from the flock
and risks being unacceptable
Poetry has no ego
It goes barefoot to the ball
It doesn’t need a Prince Charming
or to ask, ‘who’s the fairest of them all’
Poetry lets its hair down
It eats the apple
but doesn’t sleep
It gladly pricks its finger
but won’t be sold for straw or gold
Poetry cries over spilt milk
but isn’t fooled
by an unclothed emperor
or one corrupted
by the wind-up songs
of gilded birds in cages
~ Colleen Redman
July 9th, 2012 6:12 pm
‘Dear Abby, How can I get rid of freckles?’ was my first published piece at the age of 11.
I’m not sure how I got to your blog but…
My name is also Colleen and I wrote Dear “whomever” back about the same age, and asked the same question. I don’t think mine was published.
July 9th, 2012 6:23 pm
Hi Colleen, I’m not really sure mine was published either, but I seem to recall something about a lemon.
July 9th, 2012 8:36 pm
I think poetry is the most beautiful daughter of all ~ Smiles ~ Nice reflections on poetry specially going barefoot and letting the hair down ~
July 9th, 2012 10:47 pm
The ugly step-daughter is misunderstood and usually shines the brightest in the end.
July 10th, 2012 2:54 am
love this, colleen. also love the photograph – per usual!
your talent just shines, girl.
July 10th, 2012 3:07 am
Wonderful, my dear Colleen…’the ugly stepdaughter’….How True! lol…!
Great photo, too!
July 10th, 2012 12:43 pm
This is beautiful, and the picture is great, too!
July 10th, 2012 4:08 pm
this made me smile…that is what poetry is…and i will def be barefoot at the ball..haha…and well my mohawk will be upright, hopefully…smiles…
July 10th, 2012 5:39 pm
Gorgeous personification of poetry! Bit like a rebel teenager testing the social waters!
July 10th, 2012 5:44 pm
i love poetry that risks being unaccepted…that’s what makes it so alive and adventurous for me..
July 10th, 2012 8:33 pm
Colleen, this is just awesome and creative and just perfect! 🙂
July 10th, 2012 11:37 pm
Clever idea for a poem here – I think poetry is a bit more vain that that, but I feel like you’ve carried out your idea very well. k.
July 11th, 2012 12:31 pm
There is much to like about this poem on poetry. One of my favorite lines in it is…
Poetry has no ego
It goes barefoot to the ball
…like that… 🙂
July 12th, 2012 7:32 am
[…] 6. Poetry cries over spilt milk but isn’t fooled by an unclothed emperor or one corrupted by wind-up songs of gilded birds in cages. You can read the rest of this poem is HERE. […]
July 12th, 2012 10:07 am
I really like the last stanza.