If courage is something we inherit
then mine was already battle scarred
the day my parents sewed it into my blood.
Whenever I have to reach for it
I reread the fingerprints bruised along its flesh
from worried hands that clutched it close
seeking reassurance.
The beatings haven’t made it fragile.
Instead it’s more like leather,
worked until it bends softly beneath pressure
but refusing to break.
More often than not I wrap it around my joints
in the hope it will support knees
elbows
aching wrists
when I force them to lift me a little higher.
I cannot hide myself completely
beneath its folds
as all armour has its chinks.
Instead I protect myself as best I can,
tuck in the frayed edges,
darn the patches when they come loose
and try to add something of mine
that I can pass on
when it becomes time.
Daily Post: Courage
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Published by Carol J Forrester
Carol J Forrester is a writer and a history geek. Her debut collection 'It's All In The Blood' came out November 2019.
She has a 2:1 BA degree in history from Bath Spa University, enjoys judo at least twice a week, and tries to attend poetry events around the Midlands when she can.
Her flash fiction story ‘Glorious Silence’ was named as River Ram Press’ short story of the month for August 2014 and her short story ‘A Visit From The Fortune Teller’ has been showcased on the literary site Ink Pantry. Her poems ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Clear Out‘ were featured on Eyes Plus Words, and two of her poems were included in the DVerse Poets Pub Publication ‘Chiaroscuro’ which is available for purchase on amazon.Her poem ‘Until The Light Gets In‘ was accepted and published at The Drabble and her poem ‘Newborn’ was published by Ink Sweat & Tears.
She has been lucky enough to write guest posts for sites such as Inky Tavern and Song of The Forlorn and has hosted a number of guest bloggers on her site Writing and Works.
View all posts by Carol J Forrester
I especially like: If courage is something we inherit
then mine was already battle scared
the day my parents sewed it into my blood.:
It leads nicely into the poem. Good imagery.
P.S. How do you pronounce scared?
It should be scarred, I’ll amend it now.