When All Else Fails

I’ve been cut by light
as brittle as shards of sugar glass

(twice as cloying,
masking none of the bitter)

that left me
with inflamed doubts
trying to spread to every cell,
until I am more doubt than woman.

I cannot survive under the glare
of this illusion of light
and its false promises,

so I take my doubts
into the loving darkness
where true starlight's touch
waits for me

to breathe,

to release,

to heal,

every last taint

of doubt.



Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash

Song Choice: In Your Eyes (New Blood Version) by Peter Gabriel

This poem was created for Poets and Storyteller United's Weekly Scribblings prompt, When All Else Fails.

52 comments:

  1. "true starlight's touch" -- what a gorgeous and evocative image! I love it.

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  2. The bright we find in the dark (especially in our own dark) is the most powerful of them all, for it's feed by our own spirit--few things are as strong as a spirit searching for balance. And I agree with Debra that is a stunning bit of imagery. It blooms all sorts of delight.

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    1. That bright has been my saving grace so many times.

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  3. This is one of the most beautiful, beautiful poems I have ever read, Rommy!❤️ I love the use of language and the emotions that it conveys to the reader especially; "I take my doubts into the loving darkness where true starlight's touch waits for me."❤️

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  4. ~~~ “as brittle as shards of sugar glass twice as cloying, masking none” ~~~ cloying is one of the most impactful words I know. Love how you used it in your poem. Stellar.

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    1. It's pretty perfect for getting across the feeling I wanted.

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  5. I've been there, feeling "more doubt than woman." The second line is my favorite.

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  6. Whata beautiful poem this is to read Rommy.

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  7. Ah yes, I have encountered both false light and the nurturing nature if the best kind of darkness.

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    1. It's really something when you can feel the difference between the two. The first will never satisfy and nothing can replace the latter.

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  8. That is my favourite version of Peter Gabriel's In Your Eyes! The symphonic sounds pair so nicely with the idea of looking up and seeing the stars. Suddenly everything feels so much smaller, troubles, worries, even myself. When found beneath the expanse of space and sound.

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    1. I was blown away the first time I heard it. And yes, I chose it exactly for that reason. The way it flows from slow and melancholy to thrilling is exactly what I wanted to get across.

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  9. "so I take my doubts into the loving darkness where true starlight's touch
    waits for me" ... I so love that line. I've often found my comfort and peace beneath the moon and stars, rested my spirit in the cradle of darkness.

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  10. I don't like the dark, growing up I was afraid of the dark. I'd rather sit in the true sun and let it bleach or burn some "disillusion" away.
    ..

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    1. Make sure you have enough sunscreen with a high enough SPF!

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  11. I like the shape of this poem, Rommy, the way it expands and contracts, and the doubt dwindles. It’s painful to be ‘more doubt than woman’. Thank goodness for ‘true starlight's touch’. Thank you for the blast of Peter Gabriel.

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    1. Thanks for noticing that! I did want to play a bit with that aspect to reinforce the words.

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  12. Re-reading, I notice anew the loveliness of your words – and realise I didn't mention that in my previous comment, which was more focused on what they are saying.

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    1. I shall take any and all compliments about my writing :D

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  13. "so I take my doubts
    into the loving darkness
    where true starlight's touch
    waits for me"

    Such beautiful writing, Rommy! I also liked the way the lines began to pare down to the end.

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  14. more doubt than woman... perfectly describes what we feel sometimes! Maybe then the darkness stars becoming clearer than light.

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    1. LOL, I had an inkling I couldn't be the only one who felt that way sometimes.

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  15. We always feel safe and loved in others company. How we miss it when we are parted.

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  16. I feel that way about the moon's light as opposed to the glare of the sun.

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    1. I definitely appreciate both (and getting out in the sun after being cooped up inside feels delicious) but sometimes only moonlight will do for me.

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  17. "until I am more doubt than woman" - why does doubt grow within those of us sometimes. Overwhelming at times but I like how deal with it - letting the light replace and conquer the doubt.

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    1. We all come across doubt and deal with it in our own ways

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  18. Thank heaven for the "starlight touch in loving darkness". Beautifully written!

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  19. May be ever find our true star-light to guide us
    Happy Sunday Rommy

    Much💖love

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  20. there is beauty in darkness as well. great write!

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  21. Powerful and beautiful poem, Rommy. Thanks for sharing. I am glad I found your blog.
    Cheers
    Jenny
    https://www.jennyenochsson.se/

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    1. You are so sweet! Thank you for visiting. <3

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  22. Felt like I fell through this until the starlight caught me--loved this.

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