A Heart Made of Tissue Paper

By Richelle E. Goodrich

"It seems
my heart is
made of tissue paper;
I wish
the world would
handle it more delicately."
—Richelle E. Goodrich

A collection of original poetry by American novelist, poet, & illustrator, Richelle E. Goodrich.
Each chapter in this book touches on a specific emotional experience that affects the human heart within a lifetime. For example, the first chapter, titled TO LOVE, includes twelve poems that express aspects of love. Another chapter, titled TO LOATHE, includes poetry touching on life’s harsher challenges. The literary works in this book were written in a variety of poetic styles including sonnets, haikus, free verse, and cinquains. A Heart Made of Tissue Paper is a treasury of hard-earned joys and sorrows survived.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richelle E. Goodrich
• Release date: Dec 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215763766

Richelle E. Goodrich

Richelle E. Goodrich has been writing poetry, short stories, and novels since her debut in April 2012. In her twenties, she graduated from Eastern Washington University with bachelor's degrees in liberal studies and natural science / mathematics education, but she has always had a strong love of the arts. Along with writing original stories and poetry, Richelle sketches, paints, plays some piano and guitar, keeps a running blog site, and has acted in theatrical plays. Her quotes have been published in numerous places including the Oxford Philosophy Being Human course book, in eight separate Chicken Soup for the Soul books, in a Revlon magazine advertisement campaign, and on a television episode of ALONE (season 7 episode 3.) Richelle's written works include: Smile Anyway, Making Wishes, Slaying Dragons, Being Bold, Hope Evermore, A Heart Made of Tissue Paper, The Tarishe Curse, Secrets of a Noble Key Keeper, Dandelions: The Disappearance of Annabelle Fancher, and a six-book series referred to as the Harrowbethian Saga. This author describes herself beautifully in the following quote: "I like bubbles in everything. I respect the power of silence. In cold or warm weather, I favor a mug of hot cocoa. I admire cats—their autonomy, grace, and mystery. I awe at the fiery colors in a sunset. I believe in deity. I hear most often with my eyes, and I will trust a facial expression before any accompanying comment. I invent rules, words, adventures, and imaginary friends. I pretend something wonderful every day. I will never quit pretending."

Book preview

To LOVE

— He was always thoughtful and affectionate toward her,

and so she was a sweetheart to him. —

IN LOVE WITH YOU

I am falling in love with you,

but I can’t say a word.

You don’t care for love.

It has bruised you, broken you, burned you.

You call it a curse. Yet I fear I am captive of this enemy, love.

You warn of its destructive power.

Oh, but it warms me like none other! It engulfs me in caressing flames, and foolishly I crave more. I can’t bear to suffer the cold, so I let you feed the fire unwittingly.

I am falling in love with you.

I am in love with you,

and it’s getting worse.

THIS WOMAN

Her voice is like the sirens when they sing,

entwining silken ribbons ‘round my heart.

Upon her every uttered word I cling,

this woman I adore from worlds apart.

Her voice is a DaVinci work of art

in gentle brush strokes painted on the breeze.

I hear true beauty when her sweet lips part,

this woman who composes words to please.

My eyelids close imagining with ease

a warm and pretty smile upon her face.

Her laughter could subdue the seven seas,

this woman with the power to complace.

I wonder what her thoughts are when she hears

my timid, rasped responses hit her ears.

SUNLIGHT

She touched my hand.

Not on purpose.

We bumped by mistake.

But the softness of her skin was sunlight to me.

I was drawn to it.

My fingers hooked with hers.

Loosely at first.

Then sunlight tingled as she took my hand.

On purpose.

Not by mistake.

And I have never let go.

NAY, POETRY

A lonely face aglow on high.

You mean the moon.

A flower, red, has caught his eye.

A rose in bloom.

He cannot touch her, though he tries.

In darkness glints the tears he cries.

I see mere stars; you boldly lie.

Nay, poetry to draw your sigh.

I am immune.

NO LOVE SONNET

You want me to describe my love for you

With sentiment poetically profound.

Though true and earnest emotions abound,

I fear it is not something I can do.

My words are lacking; they would devalue

A love that doth the universe astound.

My favor for you no pen can write down.

I fear the rendering would be untrue.

I know what you desire to have from me,

A sonnet dripping lyrics sweet to sing.

And though my love be like a honeyed tea,

I fear my choice of words would only sting.

Love’s tedious when put to poetry.

I’m sorry to dishearten you, darling.

MY LOVE

My love for you grows

through days traversed together

and close, quiet nights.

A MOTHER’S LOVE

You will never know how I love you. How the sound of your voice stirs deep affections in my heart. How the distance between us makes me long for your words in treasured letters, texts, and phone calls.

Concern for you occupies a corner of my mind, forever a tenant, day and night. I want every good thing as well as lasting happiness for your unfolding life.

My prayers are psalms beseeching God to shower you with blessings and tender mercies. I plead with Him to direct miracles for your benefit. As often as the sun changes position in the sky, I offer up my prayers on behalf of you. I have done