This is another of my older poems, but seeing as I just returned from a wonderful vacation, and haven’t had time to write anything new, this will have to do ya! I think it fits the theme of Gooseberry Garden’s Poetry Picnic #5. We’re supposed to look at an object and then write about what we see, or what it makes us think or feel. This poem was inspired when we stopped to look at an old abandoned house–the same house, in fact, that my poem, Where No One Lives was written about. I hope you enjoy it.
Fragile Cloth
I stare at the tattered curtain
A fragile cloth worn thin
Too many days of wear and tear
Hurts and pains are sifting in
Turn now, go another way
Repent and sin not again
Failure calls out, come to me
I hold tight to the will to win
Slipping, I cry out, cloth tears
Deep depression coddles me close
I linger, allow it to hold me
All while hating the evil host
In its arms pain overwhelms me
I struggle and try to pull free
Holds me tight, whispers, give in
Says there is nothing out there for me
Cries of anguish seem not mine
Yet my eyes the one that rain
Tearing loose I run to light
Knowing here I cannot remain
Cloth, behind me, thinner still
Gaping hole with edges tattered
From the chasm, booming laughter
My dreams around me, shattered
On and on the battle rages
I never lose… yet never win
The cloth that keeps me sane
Torn too often… worn too thin
Copyright © 1998 C. Mashburn
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
Sarah Johnston said
wow what an ending sounds like you are struggling with life and your mind to battle a rage that you should win but it is hard to win
http://gatelesspassage.com/2011/09/19/my-world/
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the comments, Sarah. But please know this is not something I am going through. It is fictional poetry.
emanita01 said
Too many days of wear and tear
Hurts and pains are sifting in
The cloth that keeps me sane
Torn too often… worn too thin
And, charlesmashburn, please know that it is a VERY authentic poem. Reading it has provided me with what I call “a killing me softly with his words” moment (in the context of the Roberta Flacke song and coming from one who’s actually, sighs, experienced such moments and who is now happily getting on with living life ;-D
This is a great poem! Thanks for sharing it with me.
charlesmashburn said
It’s been a slow day on the ol’ blog, but the comments have been outstanding! Thank you very much for the kind words! I appreciate them a bunch!
Morning said
cry to win,
no more soulful singing for sin..
brilliant piece of poetry, thanks for sharing.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Morning! I appreciate the visit and great comments!
Sherry Mashburn said
powerful!
dragonkatet said
Hmm…I know you said it was a curtain, but as I was reading I was reminded of a death shroud of sorts…maybe because of the emotional subject matter. It’s amazing how a piece of cloth can bring back such memories! It can hold the scent of someone long since gone, and the feel of it against skin can also bring back memories. I liked the way this flowed, Charles. 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thanks! I appreciate the awesome comments!
fiveloaf said
this is a great achievement- wow! your ability to zoom in on those curtains and tell a story is amazing! tq for sharing charles.. my gooseberry.. http://fiveloaf.wordpress.com/2010/02/16/helpless/
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Kris! I appreciate the awesome comments!
dswan2 said
You speak for many, Charles, and perhaps we all have that dichotomy raging within us. “I can.” “I can’t” “I will!” I won’t!” Could we be describing the “veil” that will be lifted someday that we may know as we are known? Great write.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the wonderful comments, Donna. Your visits to my blog are always appreciated!
honeyhaiku said
Fantastic words, wrought with an emotive heart!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the visit and comments!
Inside the Mind of Isadora said
A very deep and moving poem. So many thoughts arousing from your words.
Good one, Charles.
Blessings,
Isadora
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the comments, Isadora!
terri0729 said
Charles, This one touched me deeply as I am having my own battles right now with depression, helplessness and anger. I am struggling to regain my sunny dispostion. I loathe it that I have so many “thin patches” right now that are tearing too fast for me to mend. Marvelous words to convey exactly what I feel. Thanks for sharing this one! Blessings and peace, Terri
charlesmashburn said
I know you read some of my other posts, Terri, and I encourage you to know that no matter what, you can begin again each moment. I also encourage you to know that happiness is a choice you caan make, and I urge you to grab hold of it! The cloth can be made whole again. Take a look at some of my daily encouragements and my I’m Your Huckleberry daily posts. I think they might help you to get your sunny self back.
terri0729 said
Thanks Charles for the quick response! I just wrote one titled “Shelter From The Rain” after reading this one and actually it felt good to express some emotions that I’ve been trying to hold back. I think I will change my subscription settings so that I get daily updates from your blog for some added encourangement. I’m not usually a down person, it’s just a lot of stress has come down on me at once and with the MS, depression is a side effect that I have overcome before and know that I will succeed again. Just a bump in the road, I’ve had many of those along the way and they haven’t taken me down yet, lol! Blessings, Terri
charlesmashburn said
You are very welcome, Terri. Evidently I’ve not been paying attention, because I was unaware that you are dealing with MS, and I am so sorry to hear this. I have noticed that you are generally postitive and upbeat though, and I applaud you for that. My encouragements and Huckleberrys are almost always positive and I do think they can help you to maintain your cheerful attitude when things get difficult. Please know, I am always hear to assist you, if you feel I can. I don’t always know just what to say, but I get lucky sometimes!
As for “Shelter From the Rain”, I have found it helpful to vent my emotions through my writing, and it sounds like this might be an outlet for you, too. I am going to your site now to see the poem (I’m assuming you posted it?)
Take care, and remember, it’s okay to bend to the trials of this life, but never give in or give up!
Daydreamertoo said
As a piece of fiction it makes for a very good, heart-wrenching read. Wonderful sad, imagery. Very good writing!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you. I say it’s fiction, but at some point, I probably lived it.
I appreciate the comments!
DiamondsandDogs said
Very nice. It resonates with emotion.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! Your visit and comment is very much appreciated!
manicddaily said
Really interesting use of the prompt. Strong ending too.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! Visti and comment very much appreciated!
tigerbrite said
You have great vision to see the previous life of tatty curtains. It is true material things can contain the energy of the past.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! I appreciate your visit and comments!
edpilolla said
the cloth as a symbol is really effective here.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the visit and comment!
shannadodd said
This is an excellent poem. Very visual and emotive. Thank you for sharing it.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the visit and comment, Shanna!
dc said
Good stuff, Charles
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Dunstan. I appreciate the visit and comment!
A.B. Thomas said
Mighty fine turn of phrase – I loved the way that a person can interpret so much into what the conflict could be in their own experiences and that last line – totally killer!
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, A.B.! I appreciate the kind words!
pure2core said
Wow! What a superb write.. Simple words, making all the emotions clearly visible…Thank you for sharing ….
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the awesome comments!
Susie Clevenger said
Masterful telling of someone’s inner struggle…
charlesmashburn said
Thanks for the great comment, Susie!
Kay Salady said
So often, we feel that what we write is fictional. Yet, what comes from us, is a part of who we are. Your writing is indicative of an extremely beautiful spirit. It shines forth between each line you write. You shed light upon the truths that only time can teach a weary soul. It is a blessing to have been fed at your table. We are more than conquerors. 🙂
charlesmashburn said
What wonderful comments, Kay. Thank you very much!
And, yes, we are!
Wyoming Diva said
Very touching, Charles!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you!
Elyas Mulu Kiros said
This is beautiful, my friend! 🙂 Thank you for sharing. I like it!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Elyas!
Christopher Raley said
Thanks for sharing, Charles. It’s something we all deal with whether we admit it or not.
charlesmashburn said
Yes, it surely is. And, thank you for the comments, Christopher!
robin said
love reading the dichotomy
charlesmashburn said
Doggone it, Robin! I had to look up the word dichotomy, and I’m still not sure what you mean. I’m just a old redneck that writes stuff. Y’all have to figure out what it means! And if you’re going to tell me what it means, use easier words, please!
apoetryman said
A slightly haunting poem, beautifully written. I love the use of the curtain hiding andholding experiences and memories within, never really escaping them
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, poetry man! I appreciate the visit and insightful comments!
Anthony F. Rando said
i love the emotion displayed in this poem!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Anthony!
Bodhirose said
Very powerful observation here–that cloth had quite a tale to tell.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! I apprecite the visit and comment!
mairmusic said
love your development of the metaphor here.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, mm! I appreciate your visit and comment!
RoughWaterJohn said
Great work, and I agree, the ending is very powerful!
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, John. I appreciate the comments!
dani said
this is stunning, Charles!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Dani!
Baishali said
a powerful and brilliant write …
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much!
Mark said
Fantastic poem. Captures the raging of the internal war beatifully.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Mark. I appreciate the visit and comments very much!
Seabell said
Shattered dreams have the tendency to live inside some spaces and objects… Well done!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the visit and comments!
Missing Grandmother | Fodder4Writing said
[…] I recently received a Perfect Poet Award (Wk n°53) for Remnants. I humbly accept this award and which to nominate Charles for his Fragile Cloth […]
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for the nomination. I appreciate it very much!
Edward Fraser said
That is beautiful. Sad and wonderful in equal measure.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Edward. I’m glad you enjoyed this poem. I hope you will check out some of my other writings.
The Blissful Adventurer said
I think we all wear these robes in the story of life Charles. Wow!
charlesmashburn said
Hey! Thanks for checking that one out, Mike. I appreciate it!
The Blissful Adventurer said
it spoke to me and where I am in life for sure
charlesmashburn said
It came from deep inside me, and it was where I was at the time I wrote it.
Short Poems said
Clever and inspirational. Beautiful and amazing job!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much! I appreciate the kind words!