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fire: poem sequence

Hello everyone!

My name is Elise Ringen and I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. I am currently a student-athlete at The University of Indianapolis studying Psychology - Clinical Counseling.

In my free time, I enjoy many things, beach trips, mindfulness meditation, yoga, homemade desserts, longboarding, and camping.

I hope that by reading a little glimpse into my very small world of poetry you will see maybe a reflection of yourself or someone you know in a way. Enjoy!

-Elise Ringen

Don't Stay

Here I am shaking,

While you’re escaping.

Full of anxiety,

While you try to quiet me.

Why am I the one with shame and fear,

When you’re out with your friends drinking a beer?

Our feelings should be reversed,

Because you were the one that coerced.

How can you not feel embarrassed?

When your sin is so transparent?

You should be unsteady,

Heart feeling heavy,

Please just leave already.

But you don’t,

And I don’t,

So we stay.

I stay in a place of constant misery,

That any day you might come for me.

Trying to keep it on the down-low,

Just seems like a low blow.

Don’t cause drama they say,

Shit-stirrers don’t get to play.

Then why is he allowed to stay?

To explain, or not to explain.

To forgive, or not to forgive.

Is it worth it to relive?

Safe, not easy.

Scary, believe me.

No matter what I choose,

I lose.

Talking, not talking.

Confronting, not confronting.

Ignoring, not ignoring.

As it builds up, it tears down.

Collecting and storing.

As the memories come flooding back.

There’s a pain he can’t unpack.

If I suppress the thoughts,

I’m still in knots

To stay is brave.

To leave is brave.

I’ll find a new path to pave.

I don’t know where to go,

But they say I’m running the show?

There’s no right answer.

So mind your manners.

Someone had forced their way in.

and you blamed that on your sin.

But you made me strong ____.

publisher's note:

Elise has been a childhood friend for as long as I can remember. This series consists of two poems written by this remarkable woman. When she sent me these, I knew they had to be shared.

Poems carry such power. The pain and emotion hidden behind simple words engrave images that will forever remain etched in the mind.

I hope these poems bring you the same fire that I felt when I read them.

Email: eliseringen09@gmail.com

elise valdez

fire: poem sequence

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