Traudi

I wrote Traudi in 1987, 20 years old. It is painful to be an outsider, to be different from the others and to feel left out. Dignity can be our shield against vulnerability and pain. Read also my post Morning Assembly – On Being Different.

You sit there all alone

Lonely and isolated

In quivering, hurt pride

Your eloquent eyes

Silently beg

For love, attention

Care and acknowledgement

Because the others shun you –

You are so different.

But it is this strangeness

Which draws me to your side

And brings an understanding smile

To my eyes

So that I long to hold

Your hand

And save you your courageous pride

And give you the warmth

You seek so badly.

Because you see

Though we’ve never met before

And though tomorrow

You’ll be strong again

Tonight, as you sit

In dignified agony

With your back curved

With poignant grace –

I see my reflection

In your face.

Vanita Shukla Hork, 1987

If you liked this poem, you will enjoy my book Memories from another Lifetime: Pain.  Available on Amazon, free on KindleUnlimited. Please do leave a review.