Featured Poet | Sharon Vollett

Posted by Jayanne on Jul 17, 2009 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

I am pleased to present the poetry of Sharon Vollett, for more information about Sharon visit her website www.petalsandpromises.org or send an e-mail to sharon@petalsandpromises.org.

SWEET, TENDER AND LOVING

The truth is no matter
what tragedies or traumas
that happened in our past
there is a deep inner core of our being
that is sweet, tender and loving.
It is there – it is the true essence of who we are.
As a child I saw sexual and physical abuse
and it has affected my relationships.
Now in my quest to find out who I really am,
I am reliving the hurt and pain
buried so deep.
Accepting that it is time to let go,
yet not knowing what to hold onto
to show me the way.
And in the midst of the many negative memories
there is one very sweet memory.
I was fourteen, and in love with Billy.
We were lovers excited with the wonder
and desire of our young bodies.
Billy asked to see me naked,
he didn’t touch me,
he just adored me with his eyes.
It wasn’t dirty or exploitative,
we were just young and curious.
We didn’t have sex,
and I will always cherish that experience.
I felt my sexuality being born
with this gentle young man.
Having only felt that tender innocence
a couple of times in my lift – I forgot it existed.
It was buried under all the hurts of the past.
Yet in recalling those past experiences
this memory popped up like an anxious child
needing to be seen and heard.
Who I am is sweet, tender and loving,
standing in my nakedness once again.
Making a choice to connect with that inner core
that is strong and full of grace
yet forever sweet, tender and loving.