One Poem – 2014

The nurse asked On a scale of 1 to 10,
how much does it hurt?
I said It hurts like hell.
She grinned wide and girl shy.
So that’s it. From here on out I
will not be one who merely speaks his mind.
I intend to be something befitting –
a man who speaks his soul.
 
Like Langston, I don’t mind dying.
But Lord let there be a row of those who
adored me lining my grave hollering:
Please don’t take daddy away.
They will not moan because
they’ll miss my lovin’.
Their hurt, on a scale of 1 to 10,
will be the theft of my words.
 

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13 Comments

  1. heidireneeturner on January 3, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    nuff said.

  2. Abbigail Kriebs (@jstnthrabbigail) on January 3, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    This is beautiful, John! I love the idea for a poem to guide your year, and not just one word. Thank you for writing your heart and sharing it with us each day.

    • thebeautifuldue on January 4, 2014 at 2:18 pm

      Thank you, Abbigail. Yes, with so many beautiful words, how could anyone choose just one?

  3. Rachel Franklin on January 3, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    “theft of words”, real good. Thank you for writing today.

    • thebeautifuldue on January 4, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      Thanks for reading my writing, Rachel…it means a great deal to me.

  4. Larry Shallenberger on January 3, 2014 at 6:48 pm

    Damn.

  5. Susan Irene Fox on January 3, 2014 at 7:20 pm

    Sigh. Yep.

    • thebeautifuldue on January 4, 2014 at 2:20 pm

      Hi, Susan. Easier written than lived, but I’m trying…

  6. Cherry Odelberg on January 4, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    So, words are your “love language.” Imagine that. Food for thought for me. Do I want to be missed for acts of service? Quality time spent? Industrious provision? Word choice and encouragement, affirmation?

    • thebeautifuldue on January 4, 2014 at 2:21 pm

      Cherry, I hadn’t really thought about words that way but yes, maybe so. Food for thought for me as well – thank you.

  7. Diana Trautwein on January 4, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    Man, if I could ever write a poem that speaks truth and love the way yours do, I might just die happy. Thanks for all of them.

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