IMPERFECT AND EXPOSED
Once, I was there
Not quite out of childhood
Watching the sun set slowly
On forty years of adolescence
My voice not yet broken
*
Indoor city lights ignite
As the fading sun goes down
And the shaming light of dawning
Ignites my indoor town
Behind buildings of self-assertion
And monuments of pride
Great streets of empty wisdom
Dead ends with trash to hide
In rows of run down garages
Slammed once. Dead-bolted. Closed
Words hoard for breaking voices
Imperfect and exposed
Kitchen table nights re-write
A turn in the story line
The shaming light of dawning’s dread
That breaking voice was mine
Forgotten garage lights hold tight
Unlock their vocal hoard
A cavalry of words ride out
Unbolted and out poured
In rows of run down garages
Lie treasures undisclosed
Words hoard for breaking voices
Imperfect and exposed
Tim Coburn
October, 2015
Copyright © Tim Coburn
All Rights Reserved
IMPERFECT AND EXPOSED
Notes
The inspiration for this poem was indeed, Beowulf’s word-horde. I imagined ‘imperfect and exposed’ might be how I would feel on first declaring words that were previously locked away, hidden and unused. As we all have so much past history, it’s very likely we all have words and phrases tucked away, unconsciously held in a locker waiting for their moment – should it ever come. Understandably, we might think about the impact of an unleashed word hoard on the receivers. But I’m thinking about the speaker – what impact does it have on them? I can only think it must be the most moving and cathartic experience, after which there is no going back. Once those imperfect and exposing words have been said, they are part of us. And we are changed.
FIND YOUR VOICE
Writing a poem is an adventure into new territory. Poetic form has a different phraseology to conversational prose – it changes the boundaries of how we usually speak. For expressive clarity, poetry uses more imagery, metaphor and story. Words and meaning are more deliberately considered. As well as making sense in written words, poetry conveys its meaning in sound and how it makes us feel. To make a poem work, our vocabulary is stretched, our word hoard expanded and our vocal identity enriched.
The development of vocal identity extends to every aspect of your life – your voice is the medium by which you get things done. With communication and conversational skills so central to who we are as human beings, I have always been interested in the effect writing poetry has on the clarity, confidence and effectiveness with which we talk. I addition to sharing poetry and my reflections on it, I offer short talk and workshops for leaders, team members and technical specialists who want to improve the quality and impact of their voice.
If this appeals to you, please get in touch.
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