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Amen

February 1, 2016 by Carol Vanderford 1 Comment

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Sometimes…
Sometimes I just don’t want to be
The gracious woman
Anymore.

I want to be
A tantrum-ing
Kicking
Arm-flailing
Screaming
Conniption-fitting
Child.

Sometimes
I weary of
Arm-patting
Hand=holding
Tissue-issuing
Hugging.

Alright…
Once again
I guess I’m supposed
To step aside
To let you move
To where you
Need to be.

But this time…
This time
I will be
Noisy
About it.

I will knock over
The planter
Leap on the table
Strip off my clothes
Hold my breath
Stomp through the hall
Cuss
And spit
And yell
To high heaven.

Because sometimes…
Sometimes
That’s the purest
Prayer.

Filed Under: Poetry, ULE

About Carol Vanderford

Carol lives in Cannon Beach enjoying semi-retirement, hiking, and returning to her early loves - writing and surfing. Encouraged by Michael Burgess to follow her heart, she writes poetry and essays at her blog, unRavel.ing, while also privately exploring fiction. In her days before raising children, completing her BA and tackling grad school, she wrote human interest stories for the New Jersey Herald, inspirational radio scripts, and periodical articles.

Comments

  1. Watt Childress says

    February 16, 2016 at 8:26 am

    Amen, indeed! To commune with greater being we must express our grief in earnest. Niceties are superficial when they stifle lamentation.

    Reply

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Readers’ Comments

  • Watt Childress April 28, 2025 at 11:48 am on Uncle Zech’s Amphibious GestaltAlso, you inspired me to insert a sentence crediting Hoyt Axton with the song's genesis. Many thanks!
  • Watt Childress April 27, 2025 at 10:55 pm on Uncle Zech’s Amphibious GestaltThank you kindly Jim for reading this and commenting. I enjoyed your review of "Sun House" by David James Duncan,
  • Jim Stewart April 27, 2025 at 8:26 pm on Uncle Zech’s Amphibious GestaltNice! Hoyt Axton wrote the Jeremiah song and sang it with great gusto. Life wanders on and I'm still glad
  • Watt Childress April 26, 2025 at 3:51 pm on Uncle Zech’s Amphibious GestaltDuring spring I think of you, and all the May Pole celebrations you've organized over the years. So grateful for
  • Watt Childress April 26, 2025 at 3:18 pm on Uncle Zech’s Amphibious GestaltIn my dreams I sing to the multitudes, with a voice as clear and sweet and churchy as Lou Reed.
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