I Am by Skyfyre

#27 I Am

This piece was originally designed to be a short-and-sweet response to a "get-to-know-you" challenge. Strangely enough, it emerged so introspective in the finishing that a more apt subtitle might have been "Know thyself."

Perhaps the most difficult poetry to write is that which explores what the conscious mind is tempted to ignore, that can only reveal itself in the unfettered flowing of poetry.

This poem originally was published in Poems on Life

I Am

by Skyfyre

I am ...
A woman
With a full heart, hidden
Somewhere in an empty room ...
With eyes not quite of autumn's gold, and yet
Neither all of summer's green;
I wonder ...
If love is a tale made for children --
A granting of sweet dreams in their innocence --
A honey-coating to help their throats
Choke down the bitter draught ...
I hear ...
A voice that whispers warnings, half-formed,
Bodiless as hope, until I swear I cannot draw
Another breath unless this spectre be unmasked,
His lies mangled ‘neath my righteous tread;
I see ...
A woman, proud, uncompromising,
Diaphanous as air -- less, even, than the tears
That fall in desolation about her weary feet,
Salt poison pooled upon the withered ground ...
I want ...
A measure of quietude, a certain silence,
The echo of alone which heals me of dreaming,
The nothing that stills the wanting,
The numb, the cold that laughs at pain;
I am
A woman,
hidden ...

I pretend ...
That I can live forever -- that Time
Has no puissance but that which I afford Him --
And so, I can wait, I can be happy tomorrow,
Sleep is for the dead; but its ghosts haunt my waking ...
I feel ...
Too much -- too deeply to be directionless,
Too real for imagining, and yet the familiar eyes
Hold nothing of recognition -- only my reflection --
A meeting of shadows in sunlit glass;
I touch ...
The downy wings of hope, in wonder,
In reverence, in need, in hunger;
Alas, it burns my fingers as a flame,
A sacrilege, self-defined ...
I worry ...
That I am alone; that in my longing
I have forsaken all -- but oh, what reward,
What smile divine should light the path to freedom --
And how can I but heed the siren's call?
I cry ...
For having too much, for fear of bursting,
And then, when by the pouring of my soul
I lie, a vessel emptied, I cry again
For what was had, and lost;
I am
A woman,
empty ...

I understand
That life is what you make it,
That sometimes, the coat of many colors
That marks your triumphs brightly, blends only
To loneliest of grey ...
I say
That we are made by life, shaped,
Broken, perhaps -- unmade and voided --
But always, the core of us remains, waiting
With only faith, with trust, to be reborn;
I dream
Of bluest waters, reaching
With unnatural hands toward the faded sky,
Of dolphins that wander in seas without limits,
Carrying me water-breathing past corals and clouds ...
I try ...
To lead by example, knowing
That merely the telling holds no power;
A gift of giving is merely a day, while
A gift of knowing spans forever;
I hope ...
That my darkness holds you gently,
That pain is halved by sharing, that feeling
Wields nothing past the words it summons,
Except that it touch you with only healing ...
I am
A woman,
only.

46 Visitor Comments (from the Voting form)

Denise

I stumbled upon ths poem a couple of years ago and I have truly loved your poem ever since. Very nice indeed.
C

I simply loved this poem. It encapsulated a lot of the feelings that are inside of me. As I read it, I felt immediately connected to its message and tone. I loved it so much that i forwarded to my best friend who wish this poet had a book, so we can get a more intimate glimpse into their words. it moved me
jess

great poem. encompasses everything a woman feels in her lifetime. makes me feel alive just reading it. more power to you!
Lauri

Wonderful poem. Very calming in my time of need. Thanks! :)
Lauralea

Truely it gave me chills. It was so beautiful and I could identify so much with you! Awesome!
marzi

this is a beautiful poem an not many can compare with thos poem, its beautifuk
Pat

Touches my heart, for in every line, every sentence it is me. The depths of this poem are so deep that I can not descend or rise to meet it.
Nicki

only a very special person could write such a very special poem. thank you for sharing something yourself so beautifully!
lynn

wow . i felt that ,,,, i ve been there i am there i sensed it it s like i put my own words down my own heart and made a poem myself a vote for you well done
Colin

Long, but very moving.
ivis

This is a very awesome poem. As a women I can relate to as so Im sure many women can. It is sophisticated and realistic. The form and the flow of the poem is great!
Stephanie

this poem Really bring out the true about how in life comes happiness and also saddness. That is why you should take one day at a time! please write back!
olga

good poem
param

I like this poem. It touchs somewhere in the heart. Well done. Keep it up. Well wishes.
DAnielle

You are such a good writer I am a writer my self so iof you want to talk about poetry feel free to email me you are awesome.
claudia

very interesting, moving and discribitive. it makes the writer interesting enough to want to get to know her, and read more of her. I have the feeling, there will be more heard of her.
Michelle

Absolutely beautiful poem. I have read it and reread it and each time it becomes more powerful. Excellent!
Terri

I felt completly absorbed in your writing, as though I could have written it myself. How beautifully your words captured the very essence of the soul.
Harrison

This is the most best poem ive ever heard in my life keep up the good work.
Alexandra

I applaud you! Very beautiful. your words inspired me.
Laura

I thought your poem was brillant. It moved me very much. I councel women in shelter and in outreach areas I would love to share this with them, I think they too would be touched by your words
Cheryl

Wow! You have it goin on girlfriend. This piece is fabulous, I feel ashamed to call myself a poet after reading of your highest heights and your lowest lows, in the words of purest poetry. Very well written. I envy your talent.
Shelby

This is a good poem!
Lori

Very good use of words and deep meaning in your poem. I like the way you write. I would give this one a A+.
Andrea

This poem is simply beautiful! It takes a special person to express herself so brilliantly.
Connie

So, I am NOT alone. what a soul-searching, deep expression of one's self! You are talented!
andrea

this was a really good poem. even thou it was long it was still really good. it was one of the better ones i have read. )
Jenny

Simply put - WOW!
ali

Brilliant
Earthspirit

It takes a lot of courage to look that deeply within yourself and to share your findings with the world. This is brilliant. Thank you.
fritzlyn

i love your poem :)
laura

that was about the most beautifuly touching poem i have ever read..
Angel

How could you know? Thank you.. thank you.. thank you.
trojaneight

deeply moved by your words...
e

This is brilliant, truly. I hope a million people read it and are as intrigued as I am.
denise

ok ok. beautiful, brilliant lol
DJ

This poem touches the very soul
Frances

My son sent me this I love this he felt this was about me it was great
C.Bruso

IAm --Skyfyre.Might I take this little slip of your time to praise your delightful style and obvious talent in capturing the essense of what most of your sister's have felt at one time or another .. your words touched me to the core, and I thank you
socratesCA39

skyfyre, this is a beautiful poem, i loved it, my hat's off to you and you receive a standing ovation from yours truly. you have a new fan in california.
Parker

Well, all I can say is wow. I think I hate this poet more then most. :) She is just too good, and i'm too jealous of her talent
artfx

This poem is truly amazing and has moved me beyond words,I can identify completely.We all think in times of reflection that no one understands our true thoughts & feelings, your poem proves that we are not alone after all
Jenn

This poem represents many things that I also feel within myself,
meaghan

a beautiful, touching poem
Richard

i am male, but geez, i actually thought you had written about my life. in one word = brilliant
MJ

Very moving, strikes the core of being a woman.

All Visitor Comments on this poem have been posted by people who wanted to let the author know the poem touched their hearts. If you would like to leave a comment of your own, please Vote for this poem.

#27 I Am

Let the countdown begin ...