Awkward

by Brenda   Jul 12, 2016


I was an awkward child.
Stumbling over my feet,
stumbling over my words.
They gave me braces
to help with the feet.
Didn't correct the problem.
Trying to fix something
God blessed me with.
I had speech class.
Hated that damn class!
Couldn't say my S's.
My teacher thought it would be
an AWESOME idea
to have us wear
construction paper "S"s,
Pinned to our shirts,
back to class,
to help us remember
that damn "S"!
Mortified, we trudged back to class.
All of us speech rejects.
Our paper "S"s,
flapping in the breeze...
Forty-six years later,
still remember that like it
was yesterday...
I'm still an awkward one.
I stumble over my feet,
if I'm not careful...
My husband likes my walk.
He's always had a weakness
for pigeon-toed girls.
Still tend to stumble over my words.
Crowds make me nervous,
just can't seem to make
my tongue
form those damn words right!
I like to write.
I have no fear of
falling flat on my face,
or tripping on my words-
When I write,
I'm not that awkward child
anymore.
I'm just me...

    report violation
5


Did You Like This Poem?

Latest Comments

  • 7 years ago

    by Ben Pickard

    Brenda

    What a perfectly formed and articulated poem this is!
    There are many ways of expressing ourselves - words are just the most obvious ones. I think, too often, so much pointless pressure is put on children and the 'help' they are told they need does nothing but pull their confidence to shreds and damage them further.
    Anyway, your husband likes your walk and that's all that matters!

    SL

    • 7 years ago

      by Brenda

      Sir L, thank you so much! It took a lot of years to ever feel confident, I always felt, well, awkward, lol. I think as you do, there's a lot of things we should just leave kids alone on. Take care-Brenda

  • 7 years ago

    by Maple Tree

    Being you is beautiful! loved this piece Brenda!!

    • 7 years ago

      by Brenda

      Thank you so much Andrea! I really appreciate your kind words-hugs! Brenda

  • 7 years ago

    by Em

    Brenda such a powerful yet sad piece about your struggles in life.
    I love how you state that you can write without being judged, that's one reason I write because otherwise I'll get judged.

    Em

    • 7 years ago

      by Brenda

      Thank you so much Em! That is indeed the beauty of writing, you can just be you and it's ok. It's sad that we get judged just by how we look or talk, etc..how about getting to know someone first?

  • 7 years ago

    by GB

    My elder sister suffered from "Dyslexia" despite the fact she is now professor in the field of pharmacology, it's all about building our own faith and trust. Very beautiful verse, Brenda.

    • 7 years ago

      by Brenda

      Thank you ever so much! That is so very true! So many things come in front of us, some people it's a block, others leap over that and go on to great success, ie: your sister. Take care-

  • 7 years ago

    by deeplydesturbed

    Love this one Brenda! Very personal! It touches on a subject people wouldnt normally talk about. :) well done!

    5/5

    • 7 years ago

      by Brenda

      Thank you so much! Writing has allowed me to be able to cover a lot of subjects that can be and have been painful life moments. We have all had them, I guess that's part of life. Some of them I wish we never had to go through. I do appreciate your kind comments-take care-

Read All Comments (12)

More Poems By Brenda