The Place I Never Stayed

The Place I Never Stayed.

I miss the girl I used to be
The one who laughed too wild, too free.
Who danced on roofs, who dared to fall,
Who never once feared losing all.

She wrote in ink, not pencil lines,
She chased the dark, she read the signs.
Now I erase more than I write,
And fold my dreams away at night.

I loved a thing I can’t explain
A shade of sky, a kind of rain.
A breath between the wars I wage,
A silence louder than the page.

Some say that love is soft and warm,
But mine was thunder in a storm.
It cracked my bones, then taught me grace,
And left a shadow on my face.

I search in mirrors to find a trace
A flicker lost in grown-up space.
I speak in “used to,” “might’ve,” “when,”
I learned to meet myself again.

And though the world forgets her name,
That version burned, became my flame.
She still walks barefoot through my mind,
A ghost I never left behind.

Author's Note

So this poem, I wrote it while on vacation, enjoying the peace of nature. In that stillness, I remembered the girl I used to be unbothered by things, wilder, unafraid. I’m happy now as well, but life back then held a simpler joy. This poem is a tribute to my younger self and the part of me she will always be.
Hope you guys enjoy reading it!

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

The carefree days of youth. Then we grow up and our serious side starts to run through our veins instead of the young girl dancing in clover. This is both touching and relatable. Sometimes my inner child stands looking at me in the mirror, but she’s gone in a flash. Reality has a habit of kicking in unwanted. Lovely work dear poet.

Chris

[Ayesha Faiz]

Thank you for weaving your thoughts into the fabric of my poem. Really appreciate it.
😊

[Thomas W Case]

Powerful work. Brilliant.

[Ayesha Faiz]

Sincerely appreciate your words and time.

[Soren]

Brilliant! A glowing ember shows in this most wonderful work of art. As we age we ripen like fruit sometimes gaining sweetness and full flavor but loosing that toughness and the green firmness of youth. I too could feel this and identify with it as I was reckless and if not wild then rebellious in my youth having mellowed with age. I too think back on those days and reflect on that piece inside that is still left. Very nicely penned

[Ayesha Faiz]

Your eyes saw what my pen tried to say... I deeply appreciate your constructive review of my poem.

[Soren]

You are most welcome

[DIVYA]

I love this well crafted poem on a journey within the self, the transition from a carefree, child-like psyche to a more restrained, more mature one. I remember my late kid sister who was extremely animated as a kid but one day I returned home when she had turned 14 and was stunned at how quiet she had become. It was like meeting a new person in the family, altogether.
For me to remember those long lost memories, you've done a remarkable job with this poem.

[Ayesha Faiz]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I'm really touched that my poem reminded you of your sister and brought back such personal memories. I honestly just tried to express a feeling many of us go through, so it means a lot to hear that it resonated with you in some way.

[DIVYA]

You're most welcome, Ayesha. Keep sharing.

[John the Baptist]

A very nicely rhymed piece here, in which the speaker recalls her younger self and the difference between that self and the person she is now. It is actually a tale all of us can tell, for life in both its gentle and less than gentle ways carves a new person from the clay of the one that went before. The younger self was more daring, less inhibited, and took the lessons we all get. The current person is more cautious and conservative, schooled by love and all that comes with it. The speaker seems to hold on to the memory of that girl. From my own experience, I would say don't miss her too much.

[Ayesha Faiz]

Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts. I’ll try not to miss her too much, just carry her with me.
Appreciate your review and time.

[Betty Hermelee]

I believe we all want to be kids again at least in our notions, but time moves us in to another place in life… which doesn’t mean that we don’t have real flashback of what life used to be… and we still can enjoy those moments in a flash or they might be in the back of our minds forever.. beautiful write!
Warmly
B🌷🌷🌷🌷

[Ayesha Faiz]

Grateful for your kind attention and response to my work. Thank you!

[Betty Hermelee]

My pleasure Ayesha... thank you for sharing your work!
Warmly, B

[Buddhistboy73]

The place I never stayed...this is a deeply emotional poem...

It seems to connect with a deep inner knowledge and the passage of time and how the author is changing along the pathway of life.....
She still walks barefoot through my mind......a ghost I never left behind...

Thanks for sharing

BB73

[Ayesha Faiz]

I appreciate you taking the time to review my poem. Means alot to me.

[emmajoygreen]

Why can't that feeling you once had return with eagerness and excitement? Life is rehearsal until you know your own reality. Your writing and the thought behind is first-class but I like to know what makes good writers think the way they do or how they came to think about this or that. If you ever have time, please enlighten me. Thank yo so much.. and yes, I very much enjoyed reading your poem. :)

[Ayesha Faiz]

Ah, life is a rehearsal until you know your ownn reality. Well said. Also, please.. I'm just a no one trying to pursue my dreams. Please, you're way better than me I'm sure. I still have a long way to go but I really appreciate your kind words.

[emmajoygreen]

Believe me you are very much a someone. You created a poem which has beckoned people to read and respond to - which is respectful. Many thanks for exactly that, Ayesha Faiz

[Ayesha Faiz]

I sincerely appreciate your thoughtful words. Much appreciated!

[emmajoygreen]

:) and lots more

[Alicia-Veracity]

This is very beautiful and incredibly well written. I'm shocked you're only 16, to be honest. You write so well! I love where you speak of your youthful boldness, and how you were unafraid to fall. The part where you spoke of writing in ink, rather than pencil too---that was very creative and drove the point quite well. That fearlessness and not worrying about making mistakes... Sometimes I miss those days as well, times where success felt almost certain. These days I worry more than I'd like. Anyway, lovely words. Thank you for the beautiful read! =)

[Ayesha Faiz]

I'm so glad that you enjoyed reading my poem.

With the utmost gratitude, thank you!

[Gee]

My pleasure.
You are very talented

[Ayesha Faiz]

:) Thanks.

[Gee]

AI would be jealous of the rhyme, flow and content of this special poem.
Well done you

[Ayesha Faiz]

Hehe, I really appreciate your comment!
I sort of used some help from my brother like just asking how to rhyme or the direction of it.
Thanks alot for the review!