Packed Up Didn’t Go
Packed up
clothes, washed
dried & folded.
Going to rehab.
Want a ride?
I will enjoy the walk,
I need to do this my way.
Choking back,
swallowing hard,
I want to howl.
It’s hard. She said.
I want to go,
want to get my teeth fixed.
I’m lisping now.
thought there was another cause
when I heard others lisp.
Now I know,
it’s from the loss of teeth.
Now I know.
Be safe, be strong, be brave.
She didn’t go.
6 thoughts on "Packed Up Didn’t Go"
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Lovely poem about hesitation to follow guidance from within due to lack of self-belief. Nice rhythm, too.
You use words so economically in this piece, and each word hits a bullseye. The title and ending line are perfect. The poem is sad, true, real and full of love.
Captured a heavy moment with concise, powerful language.
Pitch perfect and so very sad.
Every word of this
simple and piercing.
Very good.
The details included here – about her clothes, her wounds, and her wants – help the reader understand the gravity of the poet’s hard swallow and suppressed howl.
I think it’s so important her voice is included in the poem. The opportunity to hear her directly helps the reader better understand her and her situation. It helps the reader join in the poet’s compassion and acceptance without judgment.