This Poem was Submitted By: Mandie J Overocker On Date: 2011-06-12 16:57:44 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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In the Face of Fear

I'm done with pushing forward I'm done with pushing past These memories inside me Always seem to outlast My will to stand against The grief, the shame, and rage That fill my broken soul Leave just words on a page I've no idea how to face The intensity of what I feel And remain completely aware While remembering what's real Dial Down, or Healing Pool Skills to use like Containment Seem contrite and minuscule When daunted by resentment Or other overwhelming feelings That have grown throughout the years Now must somehow be attended As we face all of our fears

Copyright © June 2011 Mandie J Overocker


This Poem was Critiqued By: Tony P Spicuglia On Date: 2011-07-07 09:59:45
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Mandy, sometimes when reading your verse; I find the juxtaposition of victim with shame. It is inevitable that accusations, true or false, have a self actualization in “shame” but the woman who is writing here, I feel no shame in. Compassion, yes, shame? No. That the skills of “containment” are associated with survival or redemption, shows the content of the soul. The survivor makes what will; however the response to commotion requires. You are right, “face all of our fears” for in that action is a semblance of redemption itself.


This Poem was Critiqued By: DeniMari Z. On Date: 2011-06-27 23:39:30
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Fear itself can be eliminated if you believe - that within religion are phrases that can substitute pills for life circumstances. I try my best to overcome grief - the grief over the loss of my son and I have not found the right "pill" to fix it. Very profound, very heart felt and extremely open poetry that bares a soul in need of healing. I pray you find that healing Mandie, as I pray I find my own. Very nicely done - just a little forced verbiage in the last verse- but otherwise on target, and on my list for June. blessings sweetheart, Deni
This Poem was Critiqued By: cheyenne smyth On Date: 2011-06-17 18:00:47
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Mandie, I am glad to read a poem from your talented pen. You have been gone too long and hope you are doing okay. However, this melacholy poem indicates you still have unresolved issues you must deal with. You have used wonderful words to express yourself in this piece. Facing our fears is a difficult task and some memories lurk in the corners of our mind and strike when we least expect they will. I feel this poem is autobiographical which serves to make it even more intense and delicious in its darkness. Well done. Best wishes, cheyenne
This Poem was Critiqued By: Ellen K Lewis On Date: 2011-06-12 17:33:15
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Hi Mandie! What an awesome work this is! I am left breathless. Your thoughts are driven, your words purposeful. I can 'feel' then tension as I read. That is the mark of true artistry. There are a few places where this reader stumbled over punctuation. That is something everyone seems to disagree on, so this is just one view. A few common conjunctures to bring the sentences more into a flow would seem a good thing here. Perhaps lose the caps on sentences that are more completely described when there is no pause between thought and the following sentence. I've no idea how to face (The/ the) intensity of what I feel Or other overwhelming feelings (That/that) have grown throughout the years I think those examples show what I mean.. small things that will make it flow and read more easily. I have enjoyed your work poet! Thanks for sharing it!
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