Under The Rough Exterior
Helping each other shine in the Vocal community
Separate collections of stardust,
Together in one place, we fell,
Each with our own chips and scratches.
Each with our stories to tell.
*
We watch for new stories to surface,
While we nurture and pamper our own
Molding and shaping the young ones
Until we release them, full grown.
*
All the while, there's the presence of others,
Tumbling with us in this crazy mix,
And some stardust becomes grit that mingles,
Slowly smoothing the gouges and nicks.
*
So, we give and we take, and the surface
Slowly clears and the treasures shine through.
And we're shaped, just a little, in passing,
But I'm still me and you are still you.
*
Now we all shine a little bit brighter
As our stories all come out to play,
So I thank you, my fellow creators,
For passing some stardust my way.
***
The Smooth Challenge immediately made me think of the rock hounding and lapidary hobbies I've enjoyed since I was a kid, and the way that grinding and polishing can reveal the treasures hidden under the surface of rough stones. So, I was going to write this story about rocks.
Then it occurred to me how much the simple process of tumbling reminds me of the best part of the Vocal community. The success of the process is dependent on the interaction of the pieces in the mix and the results are often beautiful.
So, I wrote a cheesy little poem about that, and here's what came out. Thank you for the constant support and inspiration, you marvelous collections of stardust!
The challenge:
By the way, if you'd like to read more of what this community has inspired from me, you'll find a lot more on my profile page:
About the Creator
Dana Crandell
Dad, Stedpad, Grandpa, Husband, lover of Nature and dogs.
Poet, Writer, Editor, Photographer, Artist and Tech/Internet nerd. Content writer by trade. Vocal Creator by choice.
Keep reading
More stories from Dana Crandell and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (26)
Beautiful work Dana! Very thought-provoking!
I love this, such a good analogy :-D xx
Kudos! Keep excelling in your work—congratulations!
Umm like OMG CRYSTALS! Then...I read your poem and umm like OMG DANA!!! Beautiful!
I loved the reference of stardust. It’s always a great reminder of the ultimate history/mystery of life. Great entry, Dana. 💖
I love this Dana!! I am proud to be tumbling with you all on here!!
Love how so much stuff starts off one way and becomes something so much more and unexpected.
I love this times three. The flow was smooth. The rhymes were lovely. Thank you for the stardust and best of luck to you! Hope to see this entry amongst the winners. 🩵
Nice take on the challenge
The poem reminded me of my childhood I used to collect these rocks
I didn't find it cheezy. I loved the poem, and I find those rocks very beautiful.
I love it, and happy to tumble with you!
No way! There was nothing cheesy about this poem! It touched my heart so much! I'm so happy you wrote this!
This gave me the warm fuzzies 🥰🥰🥰
I didn’t notice any cheese in this poem. Just fantastic verse with really beautiful and deep messaging :) So nicely done Dana!
Well now. Nothing cheesy about this. Nothing at all. As Jason said. This is just a lovely little tribute and a nice connecting piece to another piece of the puzzle that is the Crandell! This is such a great entry and another example of how you are just killing it poetically recently.. I mean...you're always such an inspiring writer, but the last few have been especially breathtaking! Well done, Sir!
I collect rocks, why are they not as 'perty' as yours. Maybe i should shine them up and see if something is under there too. Treasures we all are, just like you. Your poem is a treasure. Treasure the feeling.
Not cheesy my friend, it speaks volumes and I love the line ‘ I’m still me and you’re still you’ Excellent as this makes top story
I wouldn't call this beautiful poem "cheesy." It's very well done!
There's nothing cheesy about this, Dana. Why, I'd say this is rock-solid! Not to mention quite well done.
Brilliant!!! Beautiful and smooth inspirational poem!!! Loving the poem and backstory!!!💕❤️❤️
You have shared your stardust with all of us and I, for one, am thankful for that. Very well done!!!!!
I just love it! Keep shining, stardust.
Wonderfully brilliant
wonderful, as always. you tap into the zeitgeist in this while still answering the challenge prompt. well done.