When the windows to my soul are smashed,
by blowing shattering glances,
gusts of words — as hail
pebbles rolling on the hardwood floor.
Doors are closed and locked,
chains across my chest.
and from the sea a sharkwind blows.
In chill of silence afterwards
The night is laced with need
acute a sense of absence
plagued by words
unstitched.
Kerry show us all kind of wonderful poetry written by her students at Real Toads, and want us to write something inspired from them. My choice was Broken Windows by Cheron L’Estrange.
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September 25, 2015

Loved that first line. I saw a mosaic window, all those beautiful colors, smashing the floor and tears came to my eyes.
plagued by words
unstitched… such a lovely line.
Wow! You should patent the word ‘sharkwind’. It is fabulous. I am so intrigued to see where Cheron’s image of the broken window took you. This is a most atmospheric piece. You have layered your metaphor with such expertise, I feel like I have journeyed on the high seas of emotion.
The impact of reading this is like having that window shattered in your face, and the fragments cutting everywhere, part of the wind you describe. Just an excellent poem, Bjorn.
This is a very dramatic poem, Bjorn, and it really evokes the feelings you describe. Well done! Super well put together. k.
I really feel these ‘gusts of words’. Cool!
A little French Lieutenant’s Woman, a little Sharknado!
Amazing title, and a gorgeous piece. I loved that original poem, also. So much talent on the site.
Sharkwind…perfection in that word you crafted. The title is excellent. Gusts of words. Indeed they can be as hard and cold as hail and as destructive.
So moving.
There’s a chilling feel to this – of how a trauma can cause a soul to shut down completely until they don’t even have words anymore to describe their rawness.
I love this. Excellent title. These are my favorites:
“smashed,
by blowing shattering glances”
“Doors are closed and locked,
chains across my chest.”
“The night is laced with need”
“plagued by words
unstitched”
I did not read the original poem but this is excellent…at first, i thought it a “death poem” because it seems to fit!
A very pumped & powerful piece, & yes “sharkwind” will be adopted & stolen by many of us impressed with your wordsmithing; a bold endeavor for a great cause.
I love the way you use the word “laced” in the title to imply a combination of drugs, which can be a metaphor for anything/anyone you’re desperate to smoke, snort, or inject into your veins.
“from the sea a sharkwind blows.”
I love this line…excellent poem, Bjorn!
…laced with need … unstitched. Poignant. Lovely write and a nice spring board of inspiration these students have supplied us!
You nicely layer the vivid and ominous feeling words all through the first two stanzas. Unstitched words – unsaid words def scare me.
by blowing shattering glances,
gusts of words — as hail
A sensitive person can be so affected even with innocent glances that appear piercing. Poets generally are saddled with this ‘ailment’ or they are not meant to be one. Great lines Bjorn!
Hank
This is fantastic, Bjorn. Stellar writing! “from the sea a sharkwind blows.” I wish I’d written that! And your closing lines are incredible. Loved this!
“plagued by words unstitched” I feel that way when my writing will not come together. This is a beautiful piece.
“When the windows to my soul are smashed,” What an intense phrase!
Stunningly intense.
The poem just shakes up the inner soul.
The way in which you’ve woven words in this piece, is simply stunning. So many, though: “The night is laced with need” really struck a chord with me.
So many metaphors. Loved it all and especially the end. Words unstitched… Brilliant.