Source
r/OCPoetry•
cdana75

Empty Lungs, Full Stomach

/can't sing but my voice shakes when I yell, keeping time, stronger than before

/can't remember my own lyrics but if I keep dancing you won't ask me to repeat myself, rocking back and forth, weaving limbs through a needle big enough for two

/can't move my feet in time but no one's noticed yet and my heels don't do so well in sand, so I'll paint you the same picture until I get it right (correct me if I'm wrong)

waiting to go home, but you asked for my address and my throat closed shortly after my eyes did the same, the voice I was using fading into yours,

telling me it seems like I've been begging history to repeat itself for the third time this week,

stretching my toes further than the soles of my shoes,

tearing the tongue out to make room, singing along to the sound of your leaving,

I am walking you to the door and wishing you safe travels under my breath, just to see how far my voice carries you, or what wet paint looks like behind thick skin.

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Posted Feb 12, 2021, 1:24 PM UTC · edited

136
lazuethepirate•

Wow, the way this is written feels like resignation. As if one wants to change and can't. I love the descriptive nature you've given it, as if the narrator is fighting against their own body. Beautifully done!

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cdana75OP•

thank you!

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Small-Strike•

this poem struck a nerve with me, you had me hooked on the first time. i hate that my voice shakes when i talk in a confrontation and i never thought the shakes were keeping time. “the voice i was using fading into yours” this sounds so painful and i’ve experienced it. thank you for putting this into words! keep writing!

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cdana75OP•

ahhh I appreciate that, I feel the same way.

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Tamturr•

Such a visceral description. I have before been in situations where I was fighting against emotions, voice shaking or fading off, and I could feel that here. The lines are so visual, and have a good flow and rhythm as well, it seems like a song.

The line "can't move my feet in time ... my heels don't do too well in sand" really got me today, I've been struggling to keep up with normal everyday things and that is definitely how it feels. Like everyone else is moving to some rhythm that I just can't quite get. Thank you for putting words to it!

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cdana75OP•

thank you so much!!!

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