Damn you and your ending stanzas yaki. Holy crap...this is an awesome piece. So interesting. So sad....I feel like this is written from me, because I felt like I was raised this way, although allowed your mama's speech to scare you, I used my to intrigue me which got me in heaps of trouble.

Now that you're getting older love, you'll have discernment when it comes to men. You have a good head on your shoulder and can pick out the good from the bad.

Loved this! Love you!

I never said this before. ....
Midway, I was tearing. literally.

your poetry is unique, Yaki,
you're the only one in here that wears her words. every dot, every comma (misplaced or not) is full of you..

high five~

Like me, like me not,
it's poetry that I'm liking, only. DOT.

There is only one person that could have written this with such thought-provoking emotion....I just, my heart was hurting by the end....wow Yaki...especially how you opened up so much about your childhood, being raised to fear, distance yourself, from men. I guess I don't really realize how much of how we are brought up and what are parents believe shapes our future. When you write in the beginning about how your aunt describes you "too charming, too cute", it makes me think a thousand different things. Was she just trying to protect your heart? Was it so wrong to be so passionate? Why were you the one told to stay away? The emotions you describe here are so overwhelming, it just takes me by surprise then sinks in --- your stanzas I could read forever! The really unique part for me was how you described the cage, that it's a reward of some sort? but that it still remains barred though you have other things added to your life, there's still something without. Amazing how you described this! I honestly have never felt so much meaning in this poem, there's so much to be understood. Still be very hopeful- I believe when the right person comes across to you, you'll know and it will be alright.

Beautiful poem as always, take care :]

I have to agree with Mary Anne on this. You write about anything just as well as by simply venting your thoughts.

You've nicely illustrated what emotions are through your poems.

*Hugs*

The final stanza along with the finishing line are simply amazing. It's a breathtaking poem. Well done!