Between these Lines
Author: Susan Cain
Dear Readers,
I hope you enjoy this poem by the gifted Amber Rens (who is only 17! though you’d never guess it from her words.)
Between these Lines
the smell of printers ink
the rustle of ancient pages thumbed through carelessly
I am here, if anyone cares to look
but they don’t. why should they
when I won’t leave this sanctum, my written refuge,
where voices whisper to me so soothingly?
the kings of old have been here
the seers knew this place well
these are their voices now
when they themselves have long since faded into the dust
this is inspiration
imagination
starbursts of color and sound waging war on my senses
competing to see which can compel the strongest feelings,
something I cannot bring myself to muster when I must leave.
what makes you laugh?
what is wrong, that you are moved to tears?
I shake my head and smile.
nothing, I say, nothing is wrong
I laugh and smile for naught at all
do not worry, no, everything’s fine, merely a thought has struck me
yet I know the truth
in this place, my words matter
for to the thirsty pages, my words,
my ink, are as sweet as fresh water
and as valued as precious stones.
it’s funny how sometimes one can only
be heard by saying nothing
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Poem shared with me by:
Amber’s proud mother, Rebecca
More like this:
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That’s beautiful.
As an introverted poet myself, I can tell that this young lady has a bright future ahead of her. I hope she stays with it!
LOVE.
Oh I just love this! What beautiful, honest words.
Amber Rens, thank you for sharing, this is wonderful. I had to decide if I’d spend my time here commenting about how well you wrote this, or how much I enjoyed it. You have a gift!
Dear Susan,
Would you consider hosting a workshop on “Negotiation for Pseudo-Extraverts”?
I’m an introvert, trained from birth to extravert. Having two sets of techniques works well, except (I’m realizing) in conflict situations, when the two negate each other. (Ex. the extravert keeps the introvert from cooling down/stepping back, but the introvert keeps the extravert from yelling or being firm). It’s a complete loss, and very difficult.
Thank you for your time.
This was fantastic. Bravo.
Wow! Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.
Please share with us more
A VERY talented young lady!!
Impressive!
Lovely. I especially like the last verse. I recall the movie A Bridge Too Far and the General Browning - General Sosabowski dialog before the daring airborne operation into Holland during WW II.
Gen B: “Is something troubling you General Sosabowski?”
Gen S: “I’ve said nothing”
Gen B: “Precisely. Your silence is the thunderous.”
Very enjoyable!
hi, iam introvert learner. i study english at university and this will be the last year and i will prepare a thesis. the research proposal of mine is “introvert learners, how to bring out their best” plz i need ur help because i feel lost.