she
said
she
was drying out
and
needed to get clean
i
just held her hand
as
she wept
holding
her hair back
while
she threw up
nearly
20 years
of
the most hideous
and
sobering regrets
and,
like natural childbirth,
there
is not much you can do
but
be there
while
she learns how
to
nurture a new life beyond it
and
remind her
even
if you’re walking broken
you
can learn how to dance again
Copyright
© 2013 Jennifer Wagner
For
Laurie's prompt at Poetry Jam: Poetry of Dance. And for Poets United: The Poetry Pantry.
Oh, Jennifer, so true....a person can learn to dance again to a different beat in a new way. What a moving poem you shared here in Poetry Jam. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTrue and inspiring..you can , she can!
ReplyDeleteI was grabbed by the title and was grabbed even tighter as I read your poem. Very well done. Rings so true.
ReplyDelete... Amazing
ReplyDeleteBottoms can seem horrible, but they really are the only thing that will bring about change... and dancing will be better than ever.
ReplyDeleteYou can, it's true. I did.
ReplyDeleteyes, you can....really nice...and so glad that you were there for her...in that moment...it is such a hard moment when you hit that point....but i am glad, so that she can start learning again...
ReplyDeletethere you do it again,such a different take on prompt..
ReplyDeleteVery sad and so true all you can do is be there when someone has to learn to dance again.
ReplyDeletewell done....thanks for sharing this
ReplyDeleteAnd but for the grace of God...
ReplyDeleteA very tight embracing piece. Enjoyed.
Sweet! And through all these hardships she has a friend to look upon so she can stay sane. Lovely words and thought!
ReplyDeleteeven if you’re walking broken,you can learn how to dance again...Thanks for sharing this poem..i liked it alot. GOD<3U
ReplyDelete...those last two lines apply to many of us so many ways. Stunning!
ReplyDeletePowerful, compassionate, well done.
ReplyDeleteso fantastically true and yet those who need to hear it often don't believe it
ReplyDeleteVery powerful. There is always hope.
ReplyDeleteExcellently deep portrayal with hope at the end.
ReplyDeleteI like the last two lines here - there is always hope, indeed. Especially if one has someone to simply stand beside them.
ReplyDeleteWow! Those last 2 lines should be etched in stone! What an image! "Even if you are walking broken you can learn to dance again." bravo!
ReplyDeleteVisiting once more from Poetry Pantry. Truly, a stunning poem, Jennifer. Being there for a person is the best thing you could possibly do for them! This poem (and these thoughts) is a kepper.
ReplyDeletenice poem
ReplyDeleteThis is truly a magnificent poem! The last line, so full of promise, so true,
ReplyDeletewe can "learn how to dance again."
deeply moving experience of solidarity and the spirit of resilience
ReplyDeleteJennifer, this is a FANTASTICALLY moving poem, which tells such a sad story - so compassionate the closing lines. Spectacularly good, Jennifer. Truly moving.
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to amaze me, Poet! Giving hand to someone in need talks about compassion and solidarity. Beautiful...
ReplyDeleteWow... I love the last line, the whole measure of the poem... yes, you can always learn to dance again. And what a beautiful portrait of loving support. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written,
ReplyDeleteA poem filled with hope and optimism.
ReplyDeleteSo much truth, empathy and wisdom in this Jennifer--beautiful write
ReplyDeleteThis was so touching! Wow, I love how you ended it...hope is something we can never have enough of :D
ReplyDeleteYour closing lines are very touching and very very true.
ReplyDeleteA powerful piece with humanity and at the middle
ReplyDeleteWow, not much to say in the face of this - you've said it all.
ReplyDeleteBeautiffuly written. And you're right, there's not much you can do but be there...
ReplyDeleteHonestly spoken words I must say... enjoyed reading it :)
ReplyDeleteKeep Rhyming...
Cheers :)
You touch me deeply with this piece about addiction and recovery and the work it takes to live sober and learn again to dance. Brilliant, this, Jennifer. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI like that this ends with hope despite the painful process.
ReplyDeleteWe all wish life could be a dance, thanks for letting me know that hope exists! Beautiful.
ReplyDelete... possibly the most important dance partner there is ... the one who will hold back the hair and listen and support ... a very touching write!
ReplyDelete"you can learn how to dance again" is a positive note to finish this poem on. In spite of the pain that comes before, you offer hope and for all of us, that's worth hanging onto. Thanks for the reminder :)
ReplyDeletepositively stunning! the opening seemed so simple, I was caught quite off guard by the weeping.
ReplyDeletelearning to dance again can be hard, but with the right support — of someone who cares — everything is possible.
The narrator's support is incredibly moving.
ReplyDeleteEven if there is no dancing by the end, the bond or lattice--however one puts it--is hugely triumphant.
I am learning to dance too though my legs r giving up now ....Nyc one Jennifer :)
ReplyDeleteReally lovely, learning to dance again. We all need to dance and set our souls free to express the beauty from within. Lovely poem
ReplyDeleteBroken to smithereens
ReplyDeleteDancing again
Me...understanding.
Thanks
The dance may happen long after- or even we see it in hindsight- but it is possible! thanks.
ReplyDeleteAs a 26 year sober person who struggles with temptation even day, I appreciate the hopefulness. Thanks Mosk
ReplyDelete