Poetry Friday
I have Somnath to thank for this wonderful poem today. You may not have noticed it in the comments section after our scars tell our stories, so I thought it worth producing again here. The poem can be found at the Girl.Woman.Soul blog. I particularly like the way this poem echos what I wrote in yesterday’s post about warrior markings. Let me know what you think.
Lumps and Scars
I’ve got lumps and I’ve got scars
and I’ve cried tears
and counted stars
and wished upon them
Seen them shooting across the sky while leaning against my love’s chest
and I’ve plucked flower petals with bated breath
with faith to move mountains, and hope that their outcome would lead to love
I’ve got scars and I’ve got lumps
and I’ve run races
skipped and jumped
suppressing grunts and gasps and grumbles
Holding it all together, watching my faith crumble into smaller-than-mustard seed remnants of innocence
but balancing it all in my hands, cupping it closely like water
I’m Hope’s daughter
and She reminds me that
these lumps and scars are warrior-markings
they make me beautiful
they are physical proof of my dutiful, diligent nature
that, when this part of me sleeps i can easily wake her
with my cry for freedom
my freedom song
I’ve come a long way, running through brick walls and scaling fences
pushing through brush, crawling through trenches
conditioning my muscles with this resistance
crying freedom in every instance where air fills my lungs
I’ve clung to this warrior identity
sustaining lumps and scars and cuts and bruises
holding mustard seeds and water in my hands
Because I know the Plan and I’m running after it
With all my strength
– Kia Franklin –

This poem really does complement your posting yesterday!
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I love these lines:
these lumps and scars are warrior-markings
they make me beautiful
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Yes, I love those lines too Angie.
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I love that image you chose today – it’s really beautful.
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Brought tears to my eyes as I totally can relate to all that is said…I deep down believe my scars are there to remind me how I faced something so tough and came out the other side stronger and hopefully a better person.
Thanks Marie for sharing such a beautiful and touching poem with us!
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I was very moved by it too!
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Marie,
All I can think of after reading the comments on this amazing poem are the last four lines of Francis Thompson’s “Daisy”.
“Nothing begins, and nothing ends,
That is not paid with moan,
For we are born in other’s pain,
And perish in our own.”
Thank you for posting this poem in its entirety.
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Thank you for alerting me to it and also for that wonderful verse too
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As tears slide down my cheeks…thank you for sharing. This latest surgery has knocked me down and I am slowly finding the courage to get up and crawl towards healing. This poem was such an encouragement! Thanks again for all you do!
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I am actually crying at Kim’s words…Kim I wish you healing and blessings in your life
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I’m Hope’s daughter
and She reminds me that
these lumps and scars are warrior-markings
they make me beautiful
This has brought tears to my eyes too
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The depth of wisdom and compassion in your blog never ceases to move me Marie
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I have only just discovered your blog and I am blown away by the amazing insight and depth of your posts. I will certainly be coming back regularly
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Beautiful poem and wonderful blog post to accompany it.
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