survival

survival

A Poem by Lydia Shutter


artwork by vacabalo

survival

through 1,000 iterations of me

sometimes with a cherry on top

but not often enough

 

learning

even though chocolate covered responsibilities

are still responsibilities 

we must still trudge on

 

perseverance

occasionally slogging through quicksand

albeit as sweet as caramel

ever wondering when eternity

will take over the reins 

of our cotton candy souls

 

guess we are half sick of

and half in love with

LIFE

© 2026 Lydia Shutter


My Review

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Featured Review

Wow, this is a powerful statement.

I admire your strong inner voice throughout this piece.

Creative imagery at play and descriptive detail.

This poem is full of lightness and sweetness. So pure, so unraveling towards the reader.

I throughly enjoyed this adventurous take on it.

Posted 1 Month Ago


3 of 3 people found this review constructive.

Lydia Shutter

1 Month Ago

Thanks so much, Rosie! Lydi**



Reviews

From start to finish you've certainly made a point and academically laid it, Lydia. The use of sugary goings- on softens the blow of your intentions from the start but, throughout, you clearly give an opinion that deserves to be considered: be honest - don't sugar coat your way of being or living.
' learning
even though chocolate covered responsibilities
are still responsibilities
we must still trudge on.

Absolute sense from a friend who knows how.



Posted 1 Month Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Lydia Shutter

1 Month Ago

oh, Emma, I am always grateful for your reviews. You seem to be on my wavelength! Sorry this took .. read more
emmajoygreen

1 Month Ago

Have had a few glitches this past few days! Ours are not to reason why, Lydi. :) Smiles and hope le.. read more
Dear Lydi** I love the use of sweet tooth metaphor here. Survival indeed. Nice posted artwork. Powerfully penned dear poet. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

Posted 1 Month Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Lydia Shutter

1 Month Ago

Thanks so much, Chris. Sorry this took too long....WC is not sending me notice when someone reviews.. read more
I love the premise of this with all the confectionary mentioned to give added tastes. Such a use of metaphor.

Posted 1 Month Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Lydia Shutter

1 Month Ago

Thank you, Ken. It seems WC is not sending me a notice of when people review my poetry. Sorry this.. read more
Lovely write my friend. Throw me a rope to save me from the quicksand - OOPS, it's made of chocolate. Oh well, cotton candy souls sink slower....

Posted 1 Month Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Lydia Shutter

1 Month Ago

Thanks for the review, Sleepless. Lydi**
such a tragic sadness in your Valentine world of candy ... a facade for what life brings us under wraps :( i like the layout with sort of titles for each verse .. :)
E.

Posted 1 Month Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Lydia Shutter

1 Month Ago

E, I always appreciate your reviews. Thanks so much. Lydi***
Einstein Noodle

1 Month Ago

:) as I appreciate your poetry my friend.
I totally agree with you Lydi; life has become so complicated...one hand we love it and on the other we detest it.... and there are many reasons for this...we cannot fit on this page....love your descriptive words and your inner soul speaking to us... excellent!!
Warmly, B

Posted 1 Month Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Lydia Shutter

1 Month Ago

It was a reflective day. Thank you so much, Betty. Lydi**
Betty Hermelee

1 Month Ago

You are very welcome Lydi
Warmly, B
Life chews you up and spits you out, but you keep licking the caramel off your own wounds.
Grit and sweetness tangled—half rage, half wonder, all survival.

Posted 1 Month Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Lydia Shutter

1 Month Ago

We trudge on, don't we? Thanks so much, Thomas. Lydi**
Beautiful write. The end is so strong, and, yes, half in love with it, half sick of it. Good to see you posting something !!! ~Jim

Posted 1 Month Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

Lydia Shutter

1 Month Ago

Thanks, Jim. Life is hectic to say the least. First time I had a moment to post. Stay well. Lydi.. read more
Let's just hope there's been enough cherries on top moments that still make you smile at the thought of them Lydi.
I do hope though that this write is one of them. So perfectly captured in its suck-sinkedness...I mean succinctness... oh you know what I mean. Plus through all those iterations of you this is probably a perfect moment of brevity in comparison to all the ingredients and recipes that went into making your life yours.
It probably deserves a pat on the back from yourself, but don't be trying to turn yourself into a pretzel doing it! 😀

Posted 1 Month Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

Lydia Shutter

1 Month Ago

Ah, Lorry....you always put a smile on my face. Thanks so much. Lydi**
This is an amazing write, Lydi.
What insane metaphors here, Wow!
j.

Posted 1 Month Ago


3 of 3 people found this review constructive.

Lydia Shutter

1 Month Ago

When you give me a review with a "Wow" in it, I feel like I really am a poet. Thanks so much, Jacob.. read more

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152 Views
12 Reviews
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Added on February 16, 2026
Last Updated on February 16, 2026

Author

Lydia Shutter
Lydia Shutter

Plantation, FL