I’m sooooo close to finishing my latest book of essays and poetry Broken Places (set for release before Christmas from Booktrope). Yay! Today I’m sharing an excerpt about … well, you tell me. I’d love your thoughts.
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THE OTHER SIDE OF WORDS
by Rachel Thompson
I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t tell him. The gravity pushing me down so that I became a micro version of myself, voice tiny, movements small.
“You need to go. I can’t do this anymore,” I say in a rushed, pained whisper, pushing it out before I can breathe it back in, before it can beat me down anymore.
He hangs his head. It was coming. He knew it was coming. How could he not? We hadn’t fucked in years, hadn’t touched in months. My desire for him ceased the day he lost my faith.
Such a complicated swirl comes to down to this, a simple haiku of randomly plucked words. It’s over. It has been. Echoes of what we had torture us, but those are only ghosts, memories that taunt us with promises of what we once had. Happy pictures don’t capture the resentful sadness behind our brightly lit eyes.
You convince me that I need you, but I’m better alone. I have been for so long now. If being alone means depending on myself, on my quiet determination, on peace and gratitude, then I’ll be making my way now.
I’ve learned that this is not my place. I’m not really who you think I am. I need more than you can give. I asked, you denied. I needed, you laughed. I gave, you took.
It’s not all you. I can’t give you what you need anymore. I’m not an actor. I can’t fall at your feet and eat your words as if they are the best I’ve ever tasted. I’m a writer and words matter.
And maybe that is my elemental, as crucial to me as water. [share ]I accept that words aren’t the same ethereal, beautiful creatures to you.[/share] You used words, discarding them meaninglessly, without thinking, whereas I thought they held meaning.
[share ]I found what you will never see: that my love resides on the other side of words.[/share]
Pure & precise. I love the depth and passion, but my heart goes out to you. I drank in your words and want more. I cannot wait to read the book, unstructured as you stated.
Thank you, dear Frank. It’s been an intense writing time for me, and I’m excited to share this work. Much love, Rachel
Will be looking for Broken Places.
thank you, Warner! xx
Intense, I felt every word. I look forward to reading Broken Places.
thank you, lovely Morgan. As a poet, I’m honored by your feedback #hugs
I think all of your work is beautiful and I have learnt so much about how to promote/market my own work by watching you. Can’t wait to read the next book. Warm Regards Vanessa
Thank you, Vanessa! you’re so kind. I’m honored. xx
Wonderful excerpt. Your words have such depth, truly. I know Broken Places is going to be a huge success, and I’ll be cheering for you all the way. xx
WOW. You have captured perfectly the place that so many of us have been or will yet go. Words do, or at least should have weight. They should stand true to the concepts and thoughts they’re given to represent, but so often they’re thrown to the wind carelessly and painfully. Congratulations on your upcoming release!
Thank you so much, Anita! I’m honored you read it and that the piece resonated with you. I’m in my final edits and working with Booktrope’s fab cover designer –it’s all coming together and I cannot wait to share it.
Thank you again. <3
Well, that was intense. Funny enough, my ex and I do act. But throughout our relationship, especially towards the end, I felt like he wanted me to follow a script I didn’t have. Not wanting me to eat up his words, like you mention here, but wanting me to tell him what he wanted to hear. And me getting more and more confused and frustrated as I tried to figure out what exactly that was. Happened with someone else I saw briefly as well. I can’t lie about how I feel about someone.