Dear You...

By Marlyse Goodroad

Dear you,

I have always wanted to tell you how I feel about you. I have always wanted to say thank you. I have always wanted you to know that I see you, that I understand you. I have always wanted to tell you that I wish you'd just be yourself. Now, I've finally done it. I've written down everything I wanted to say, and I'm giving these letters to you. I hope they find you well, and I hope you connect with them in some way. They are all very personal. Thank you for reading my letters.

Love,

Me

 

Dear You... is a collection of 22 free verse poems written as letters to an ambiguous "you."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marlyse Goodroad
• Release date: Oct 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201391850

Book preview

Dear You...

––––––––

Marlyse Goodroad

Copyright © 2021 by Marlyse Goodroad

All Rights Reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the publisher or author except for the brief quotation in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America.

First printing, 2021

Other works by Marlyse Goodroad:

❖  Unfettered – a book of short stories

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❖  The Secrets Behind My Eyes – a book of poetry

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Available on Amazon!

For you, dear reader.

Thank you for your love and support.

Dear You,

Thank you.

This book was inspired by a poem from my first poetry book, The Secrets Behind My Eyes. There is a poem in it entitled Dear You. Originally, I wrote that poem as an anonymous letter to someone I know, and the idea stuck with me as I continued to write both poetry and prose. When I finally decided I wanted to write an entire book in that format, I knew that I wanted each poem to apply to more than just me. Yes, each poem is inspired by someone or something I know, yet I hope I’ve accomplished my task of writing these in a way that you, as the reader, can apply them to someone you know, maybe even yourself.

There are 22 poems in this book, and none of them have titles, only numbers. While they are technically written in free verse, I wrote much of this book with the intention that these poems should be read aloud and performed. The lines contain rhymes that help it to flow lyrically, making it easier to be read aloud.

Once again, thank you for picking up this book. Thank you for giving these poetic letters a chance. I hope you will find something that resonates with you.

Love,

Me

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Table of Contents

#1.

#2.

#3.

#4.

#5.

#6.

#7.

#8.

#9.

#10.

#11.

#12.

#13.

#14.

#15.

#16.

#17.

#18.

#19.

#20.

#21.

#22.

#1.

Dear You,

We get so close every time.

It seems like you,

However,

Can’t toe the line.

You’re constantly getting sober

Then turning around

And falling off the wagon again.

I can’t understand.

Don’t you want to be happy?

Don’t you want to be free?

I know it can’t be quite that easy,

But dang.

Sometimes,

It seems like you don’t even try.

Then, you surprise me

And show that some part of you,

However small,

Is fighting,

Begging,

Clawing to get out.

All I feel is confused anymore.

I can’t figure you out.

I don’t know what I should be cheering for.

So, all I’m left with is hope.

Hope.

It’s such a tiny word.

But it’s full of meaning.

It’s honestly absurd

How much stock I put into it,

How much time,

How much pain.

At this point, though,

Without some hope,

I’m not sure I could be

Still standing here,

Watching you,

Cringing at the dumpster fire

That your life has become,

Whether by accident or desire.

I’m not entirely sure which

Some days.

But hope aside,

I also feel something else:

Pity.

You’d think,

After what I said,

That I would honestly feel

Nothing but anger,

Maybe a little sad.

But there’s pity

Because I know

That you’re not entirely at fault.

You’ve definitely played your part

In the whole mess

You find yourself engrossed in.

There are others to point at, too,

More people involved,

And until all of you equally share the blame,

Nothing can be resolved.

So, I feel badly

That you’re stuck,

That you seem to have buried

Your head in the sand.

Perhaps that’s the only way

You can think of

To avoid what’s going on in your head.

Because as confusing as it is for me,

How much worse is it for you?

You’re right in the thick of it,

And I’ve only got a bird's-eye view.

I wish there was something else I could do,

Some way I could help,

Could set you free.

But try as I might,

The best I can do is stay close,

Never flee.

Completely,

That is.

Back to hope...

Here’s what I hope for you

Because hope is all I’ve got to offer:

I hope you’re drinking water.

I hope you’re getting sleep.