For Poets United Poetry Pantry
http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/
Finding Home
Spent years, running around
outside myself, hands outstretched
like blind woman brailing
outer walls of soul,
seeking secret hole, some sort
of entrance.
Heard whimper of wounded child,
followed that sound
until I found her: crumpled
in darkness, curled in upon herself.
Reached out to wrap
warmth of arms round
scrawny trembling shoulders,
brushed tangled hair, tears
from upturned face,
saw recognition
in shy embrace of eyes
which mirrored my own.
Together, we grinned,
whispered,
“Finders, Keepers.”
Elizabeth Crawford 1996/12/13
Notes: Have been slowly reading through my journals from twenty years ago, finding several snippets of poetry in all of that prose. Am reworking them into the poems they should have become, but were never allowed until now.
Soul's Music 
:).. how cute.. lovely poem..
Thank you for visiting,
Elizabeth
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A very good one! Again could be layers of meaning….
You, my friend, are absolutely correct, many many layers. Thanks for taking a look,
Elizabeth
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Great poem and I loved the ending.
Thank you Anthony for reading and commenting. I love the ending as well, it felt most satisfying,
Elizabeth
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I love “Finders, keepers”……..and the “shy embrace of eyes”. Beautiful work, Elizabeth.
When I found the beginnings of this on my journal pages, I knew exactly where I wanted to take it. I love those surprise gifts we occasionally give to ourselves, don’t you, my friend?
Elizabeth
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I do think so many of us spend years running around outside ourselves trying to find out who we are; when who we are is right in front of us, someone whose shoulders we have to embrace! It is definitely quite an experience when we come face to face with who we are and tell ourselves that we are just fine and who we are supposed to be! Thoughtful poem, Elizabeth. Thank you.
All of what you say is true, my friend. I find it amazing that it was my inner child that led me to that experience. It makes sense, but it wasn’t at all what I was expecting. Thanks so much for the visit,
Elizabeth
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This speak so much to me of finding ourselves–the unsullied, freer selves inside–Lovely! Isn’t it interesting to go back and see the kernels of things from long ago–
More than interesting Audrey, it is very much like giving myself my own story, both as a gift and as medicine. Thanks for visiting and for your very thoughtful poem,
Elizabeth
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I absolutely love “brailing outer walls”. wonderfully written poems, Elizabeth.
Thanks Misky, until we lean in and listen to our own story, that’s about all we are doing, feeling our way and getting all kinds of confusing information,
Elizabeth
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I’m with Misky, the “brailling outer walls” is gorgeous word use. So glad I caught this piece.
So am I, as I’d have missed your sentence poems if I hadn’t returned your visit. Such rich and wonderful ideas, and so much fun to be had, by students and teachers alike. Thanks Brenda,
Elizabeth
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I followed the quest of your narrator all the way to the embrace and felt how deeply she was looking for herself. Especially loved the idea of finding one’s self in the last line!1
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I think the most challenging re-reads for me are my ‘teen-angst’ poems. I try not to recall those memories too often. Though I like the idea of embracing oneself.
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