My writing group's Personal Journaling workshop had me thinking about hiding places. It took me to two different places: one being a literal hiding place and the other a more figurative one. I can see myself coming back to this prompt and thinking about this in a more abstract way, but for now, I reminisce back to my childhood. Both seemed to beg to be poems.
Hiding Amongst Words
Let me get lost
in words
between the covers
of a book.
Let my mind
hide in other worlds,
in other people's
problems.
I seem to be
the happiest
in stories where
I can root and cry
for others
instead of myself.
On the Edge
We played
hide and seek
in a suburban neighborhood
We might hide
on the edges
behind some trees,
not too deep, though.
I think we
were afraid
of being found
by something
on the other side.
These are BOTH strong poems about childhood. I too found comfort in words, reading stories again and again and again as the familiar cadence carried me to safety and security. Yet, your second poem on the edge of the woods is powerful and a statement of the fear that all children have - all people have - of the other side.
ReplyDeleteThese poems are powerful and had me thinking like I was within each of them. I don't think I am much different from those younger versions of myself. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou have described hiding, both literally and figuratively, so well. You chose just the right words to help the reader imagine hiding in those places, too.
ReplyDeleteWe had fierce hide-and-go-seek games as children. I'm talking, we'd hide on the top of cabinets and wait for hours for someone to find us. And now, I too find myself "hiding" but I think rooting and cheering for others is also a beautiful way of showing who you are.
ReplyDeleteI love both of these poems! The idea of hiding among words feels so true. I also particularly love the ending of your second poem--the twist of wanting to hide, but be found by the RIGHT creature.
ReplyDelete