5a. Open Topic

[gunwithoutmusic]

let's not call it “giving up”
maybe “moratorium” is better
i’ve never been one
to call myself a quitter

(but i’ve never been one
to call myself lots of things)

i spoke to you often
about the power of a word
about finding just the right fit
about agonizing over it

(not that you understood
but i understood that)

it seems so final
not just a drop of the ball
but an intentional release
a saying, “i was never
enough,”

(and a thinking about
the truth behind it)

let's neither call it “giving up”
nor embrace the finality of the words
let's give it another Name

Comments

[muchtooarrogant]

Agreed, words are very powerful. Nicely expressed.

Dan

[gunwithoutmusic]

Thank you so much :)

[bleodswean]

I'm appreciating you offering a bit of work to your reader. Makes it compelling!

[gunwithoutmusic]

Thank you! I hope I get to continue but I'm still enjoying writing and trying to keep it interesting.

[roina_arwen]

Never give up! Never surrender! (Toy Story)

[gunwithoutmusic]

XD

[banana_galaxy]

Ouch. I feel this one really deeply. I hope this isn't something you're experiencing right now. A moratorium might feel better than giving up in the moment, but I've been in a state of limbo, and it's just as painful, if not more so, than actually ending something.

[gunwithoutmusic]

Oh man, I know that - thankfully this isn't about anything going on currently, but I was living with someone for nearly a year while feeling that way so I definitely know how much worse that can be than just accepting defeat.

[mollywheezy]

I certainly relate to trying to find the right words! Excellent job as always!

[gunwithoutmusic]

Thanks so much :)

[chasing_silver]

I love that you've done poetry this whole season. I really love poetry, and yours has been such a pleasure to read!

[gunwithoutmusic]

Thank you so much! I really enjoy writing it, so I'm glad to hear it's landing. :)

[erulissedances]

but an intentional release
a saying, “i was never
enough,”

No, you were and are enough. Never EVER consider that you were/are not enough. Your words have power, they may not have hit the correct audience this time, but they will in the future. *hugs*

- Erulisse (one L)

[gunwithoutmusic]

Aw thank you :) for what it's worth, this isn't a sacrifice entry even if it can come across that way. I've been pretty happy with what I've been doing this go-round, even if it stops here.

[murielle]

Your poetry is so powerful. I know, I'm repeating myself, but it bears repeating. This is so beautiful and so sad and so final. And, that last line is a killer.

[gunwithoutmusic]

Thank you so so much! :)

[alycewilson]

Your words remind me of the song "Wise Up" by Aimee Mann, where she explores a similar idea: when it's okay to just walk away and the myriad emotions involved.

I also want to add that I love that you're sticking with poetry this time. I'm writing poetry when it feels like the right direction, and so far most weeks, it has. I'm hoping you stay in!

[gunwithoutmusic]

Oh I love Aimee Mann; listening to her brings me back to being a twenty-something working at Starbucks :) what a wonderful compliment!

[alycewilson]

I may not know her music as well as some people, but some albums of hers have been enormously important to me. "Magnolia" is one of them, because it came out right after my divorce and so many of the songs made sense.

[fausts_dream]

Poetry in idol is a risky endeavor but you do it well and I admire the boldness so I'll be giving this one of my votes.

[gunwithoutmusic]

Thank you so much! It's funny to me how "strictly poetry" never seems to play well because it's way more fun to write, but I also see the difference in apparent effort between what's basically an extended sentence and a several thousand word personal essay or piece of fiction. I appreciate your support :)

[fausts_dream]

"Apparent" being the key word.... I studied under the poet John Gorman, you're right at three or four stands of poem you can't afford to have a single throw away word. It's all boiled down to essence.

[swirlsofpurple]

love this, very evocative *hugs*

[gunwithoutmusic]

Thank you :)

[sohardtohold]

This feels like a very poetic window into your mind during a moment that was very impactful on you. It also feels like a bit of a call to the reader who maybe has not reached their decision yet. Or maybe I am reading that into your words. Beautiful.

[gunwithoutmusic]

Thank you so much! :)

[halfshellvenus]

I hope this doesn't relate to anything happening right now!

I like how there's a hint of hope in the refusal to label the situation as "over." It may be one-sided hope, but that's a start.

[gunwithoutmusic]

Definitely nothing going on right now! It's more an amalgamation of past experiences. :)

I actually originally viewed this one as fairly hopeless, but I see what you're saying. It fits with the idea of coming to terms with the end of something, despite what you're calling it, instead of simply running away.

[flipflop_diva]

I read the first stanza and was worried you were trying to sacrifice! So phew!!

I really love this! Mostly because it can apply to so many situations — not just relationships but to jobs or just anything you have to put effort into to sustain. It's sad but there is a tiny bit of hope in finally choosing to purposely let something go and I really love that.

[gunwithoutmusic]

Haha well I will say as I was writing it, the thought crossed my mind that it would be taken as a sacrifice entry, but I was still liking how it was turning out so here we are. :)

I love seeing the different ways people relate; I definitely had something particular in mind but you're right in that it could be about anything! I think that's the nicest thing about being able to get personal but not mired in details.

[reidharriscooper]

Hrmmmm....
very thoughtful.
Makes me think of end of the Road by Boyz II Men strangely.

[gunwithoutmusic]

Oh, I totally see it now that you say that! Man I miss the 90s.