Burnt Toes

Nicole Ryan
Author: Nicole Ryan
Word Count: 219
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You weren’t much to me
except a consummation
of almost every thought
in most of my days
back then
you were
terribly unkind
at times
just what I wanted
when I never thought I was worth much more.

You had a forehead like mine
large and full of dreams
but mine was dented
from banging it against brick walls
like you.

You were just another brick in my wall of life.

I remember when
eyes across a room
were enough to draw these souls together
igniting the fire in the pit
I walked across those hot coals for you
and you never cared for the burnt parts of me.

I’d sit and caress my own feet
whilst you would skip away on yours

you always were selfish like that
impressing me to no end.

When you drew pictures for me on the wall
the next day
with the ash
still warm enough to spread well
I sat and watched you
captivate me.

Whilst you were busy
I painted my cheek bones with lines
black ash
a third eye
and a window on my chest.

I looked out at my new view
crawled along the trenches
through the holes of me;
I escaped from you
for good
for better
for something;

Over the wall and away.

© ryan

Burnt Toes

Burnt Toes belongs to the following groups:

Graphic Scratch, Melbourne & Victoria and Writers' Market
  • Marny Barnes

    Marny Barnes, 2 months ago

    this resonates for me. Words I could never have placed together so properly, feeds my desire to explain how it feels. Sounds exactly like…..memories.

  • LisaG

    LisaG, 2 months ago

    I felt this right through my being, it opened up a memory I have been hoping to close for a very long time. Now I’m thinking. I should not forget.

    Powerfully written, Nicole…..

  • mtda

    mtda, 2 months ago

    Wow, you never fail to amaze and inspire me. This is exceptional.

  • girlinthestars

    girlinthestars, 2 months ago

    so amazing. I’m in awe…

  • linaji

    linaji, 2 months ago

    Good Lord.. You are my new Queen of Soul and Truth and chills up and down my spine.. wow I just adore your work and I suppose if I met you… I would not have a problem
    present tense:I walked across those hot coals for you!!
    This is one of the most fav pieces I have read in a long ass time!!

  • flower68

    flower68, 2 months ago

    I felt every word of it,because I’ve felt every word of it.Touched girlfriend.Deeply.

  • natapee

    natapee, 2 months ago

    you’ve written my thoughts in a way that i could never. thank you so much. x

  • vanesse

    vanesse, 2 months ago

    Bravo darling… BRAVO!!! :0)

  • Stack

    Stack, 2 months ago

    Wow, just wow. That’s all I got. xo

  • Yasemin Sumner

    Yasemin Sumner, 2 months ago

    but mine was dented
    from banging it against brick walls

    sometimes there’s so much wincey truth in your words it makes me squeeze my eyes tightly and sigh.

  • aglaia b

    aglaia b, 2 months ago

    god damn woman
    HELLFIRE
    man you got groupies!
    love ya xox

  • MrPJ

    MrPJ, 2 months ago

    Beautiful, self sacrificing devotion followed by realization and escape.

  • CDrewHughes

    CDrewHughes, 2 months ago

    I think its beautiful how women love – its even better when that love is returned…..... I’ve had my heart broken many times over, but I wouldn’t change any of it because each time it taught me more about myself =)
    Its a beautiful, heartfelt piece xxxx

  • ladyb

    ladyb, 2 months ago

    This made me feel soft inside. Thank you. xo

  • TeriLee

    TeriLee, 2 months ago

    Serious goosebumps….this was is fantastic…..wow!!!

  • deliriousgirl

    deliriousgirl, 2 months ago

    I walked across those hot coals for you
    and you never cared for the burnt parts of me.

    OK, just one thing – where is the bastard, I’ll go snap him in two like a twig for you!!!!

  • Shanina Conway

    Shanina Conway, 2 months ago

    You never fail to hit home…..and hard,,memories, thank heavens for the escape hatch;)

  • Ally O'Brien

    Ally O'Brien, about 1 month ago

    This is fantastic. There’s so much behind this poem, it’s truly intriguing.

  • markgb

    markgb, 11 days ago

    Amazing writing nicole.

  • Nicole Ryan

    Nicole Ryan in reply to markgb’s comment, 11 days ago

    thanx for reading mark

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Tags:

poetry, brick, walls and ryan