ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Entreaty Wendy Seddon © August 2014

No-one can SEE me
I am non-descript.
Eyes don’t focus on ME
Glances can’t take me in
as if I am part
of the atmosphere
I BREATHE.

Souls don’t TOUCH mine
I am an isthmus
Society and ME
connected by a thin strand
which I continue
to clutch white knuckled
hoping to FEEL included.

Constantly I HEAR the buzz
of an exclusive world,
not shunning ME
but indifferent.
Secretly I am afraid,
to shed anonymity -
would it even MATTER

I have a deep RESPECT
for those people
who unlike ME
live in self-assurance
I’M so determined however,
no matter what,
to keep TRYING.

days pass one by ONE
slowly, hesitantly,
I side STEP decision
I know there are
only TWO choices -
cope or not cope at all.
I take a STEP.

Take it STEADY,
I feel my way,
hanging ON for dear life,
diligently avoiding
THE jagged ruts
scarring my path.
Loose the REINS of control


I will WEAR
less chains, add no more
bricks to A wall
already too high.
Fein a BRAVE countenance
that will deceive even myself
so I can FACE the future.

NOURISH me with
recognition.
Give me A platform
from which to launch
a FLEDGLING
and still delicate
CONFIDENCE.

I struggle to FOCUS on
being hopeful,
focus ON staying buoyant.
My goal frustratingly
ILLUSIVE but not
unattainable –
My dream of NORMALITY

Well done Wendy. You got me in. I feel the isolation, the frustration, the fear, the insecurity but the determination and the bravery too. I'm not sure about the highlighted words - they distract a little. I can see why you have highlighted some words but there are a couple of A and THE that have been highlighted and I wonder why. I did get into this and had a couple of reads.

Heather

Hi Heather,
Thank you for your reply.

I meant for the highlighted words to be read on their own
creating a secondary poem in its own right.
Sort of like a cry for help while trying to appear in control.

Hope this makes sense?

Brilliant Wendy. You are so clever. I didn't see it because I can't see the whole poem on the computer - it would possibly work better on paper so you could see it. It works really well.

Heather

You have to much time on ya hands Wendy


Well done .


Bob

Yes very clever Wendy

I stumbled onto it when I looked at the highlighted words in the last stanza.

Terry

Ah, but what's time Bob?

Didn't write the below but I like it.

I have only just a minute –
Only sixty seconds in it:
Forced upon me, Can't refuse it,
Didn't seek it, didn't choose it;
But it's up to me to use it,
I must suffer if I lose it;
Give account if I abuse it
Just a tiny little minute
But - Eternity is in it.

I really like that too Wendy

Well done Wendy. I love the idea of the highlighted words-two poems in one. Very clever.

Cheers
Sue

Yeah but don't you have a young family ?


No time left there.


Bob