“Unraveling the Threads of Existence: JD DeHart’s Haunting New Poem ‘Tenuous’ Sparks Reflection”
Standing at the precipice of a skyscraper, one can’t help but contemplate the vastness of life and the delicate balance we all strive to maintain. Have you ever felt like you’re tiptoeing along the fine line of expression… afraid to speak your truth for fear of disturbing the fragile peace around you? In a world often plagued by the pressure to conform and please, this poem captures a familiar feeling: the exhaustion of walking on eggshells—where each word feels weighty, precarious, and laden with the potential for offense. As the poet reflects on personal liberation, there’s an almost visceral desire for authenticity; a yearning to cast aside societal expectations and embrace the beauty of raw, unfiltered communication. So, let’s delve into this striking exploration of freedom, fragility, and the quest for one’s voice—after all, isn’t it time we all vented a little? LEARN MORE.
At skyscraper’ edge
I can see clean to the spot
of sidewalk where I stood
looking up.
Clean back to the place
I was born.
I think of the balance
of the tightrope
walker, adjusting for the
wind. Now, here it is.
I’m tired of walking
on eggshells. Such a worn
out phrase. Like the phrase
worn out. But I perched
on pristine shell a few
years ago. Afraid to speak
and afraid to offend.
This may be tenuous,
but I’m tired of people
pleasing and saying yes.
I’m not going to offend
for a pastime.
Never on purpose.
What I’m talking about
is liberty to be without
straining each word
and thought like a fine
soup, served flaccid
by the time it arrives.
