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Jul 10
poem 5 comments

Skipping Stones


Sadness is like the skipping stones thrown into ponds 
by little kids searching to steal happiness.

They plummet to the bottom so quickly,
They are so out of place here,
But also so at home.

And they stay there until something is done about them.
Until the Earth swallows them whole again.

You see,
I am like the Earth in this sense,
I swallow the stones whole again.
Unexpectedly.

And it hurts.

And it ends in me crying,

Asking why these little kids
threw their stones
into my pond
searching to steal
my happiness. 
 
Posted: 07.10.18
About the Author: Gabby Chisamore
GC
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Discussion

Comments

  1. Jul 11, 2018

    I like the ideas you explore in this poem. To me, the piece feels really open and quiet and gray and echoey-- I'm not sure why. But it's a nice feeling.
    I guess there are a few things that kind of confuse and take away from that feeling. One is that I'm a little unclear about what exactly the metaphor you're trying to express is: does the act of skipping stones represent sadness or is it just a sad act? Or is it the stones who are sad?
    I'm also not really sure what you mean by "steal happiness." How are the little kids stealing happiness? By taking stones from the Earth?
    Also, how can the stones be out of place and at home at the same time? What are the benefits of including that they feel at home if the rest of your poem has a sad tone?
    I'm not trying to rip apart your piece here, just a little confused. If you know what you are trying to say then it will make it easier to express it.
    I think my favorite line is: "I am like the Earth in this sense,
    I swallow the stones whole again.
    Unexpectedly."

  1. Jul 11, 2018

    Hello,
    I'm glad you enjoyed the piece.

    The act of skipping stones represents sadness and the Pond is supposed to represent the body. (Because you know that feeling you get that feels like rocks have settled themselves in your stomach, that's what this is based around.) and the children represent other people/yourself/outside forces, whatever has brought on the sadness.
    In terms of "stealing happiness" the children are looking to entertain themselves, even if it disrupts the Pond.
    And by disrupting the Pond with their stones, everything feels out of place. So until something is done about the stones, things will remain out of place.
    Know the stones are at home, because as with humans it is natural to feel sadness. But they are out of place as well, because sadness is something people don't feel as regularly as, say happiness.

    I hope that at least kinda makes sense. I didn't really intend the poem Be thought to hard about.

    GC

  1. Jul 19, 2018

    Ok, that makes a lot more sense to me now. Thank you for explaining it.
    And sorry if I was overthinking it--I'm never sure whether it would be better to voice my thoughts or simply enjoy it quietly on my own.

  1. Jul 11, 2018

    I can painfully relate to this. I like how you refer to those that take away happiness as children seeing as though they are not yet matured and not entirely aware of the consequences of their actions. I also love how you compared that pain to swallowing stones. Reminds of me of that pain you get when your throat clenches as you're about to cry. I can practically FEEL this poem as I read it and it's beautiful yet sad. Couldn't have written it any better. For someone who loves poems about sadness and the pain of having happiness be taken away, this is a homecoming. Love!

    Rovva

  1. Jul 11, 2018

    I'm happy that you enjoyed the piece!!

    GC