Flinty Heels
A guide to walking away from the spindle.
To survive,
you must first
line your eyes
with seduction.
*
Hide your
shades of strength
in pants
instead of dresses.
*
Remember they lied.
[You] are not
the only one
with muscles.
*
When they say,
"Don't go out in that dress,"
do not yell.
*
Instead,
look down
at his shrunken stature
as you ruffle.
*
Teach him
that no mortal man
can reach
behind your neck
feigning control.
*
Expose the words
he stole.
Gird yourself
to farm your own land.
*
Shine your rubies
with truth
until they fill
the hearts
of your sisters.
*
Build a crystal cistern
where the water
is clear
and warm.
*
Wait for your
own face
to be mirrored back.
*
Refuse to die
on the streets
just to feed
your heart.
*
When he comes,
ensure he cannot say
you have taken
what you do not own.
*
Let him be smitten
by the compliance
he mistook
for victory.
*
Let him feel
exempted
from the truth of you
until the end.
*
Do not let
your tongue remain
a spindle hooked
behind your throat.
*
Find your calm
in words
of resonance.
*
Buckle your heels
and listen
for the flinty sound
of your departure.
*
Walk
toward yourself.
*
Watch him
from afar,
like feathers
to a hen.
A/N : While my previous exploration, "Beef of Comfort," was a feeble attempt at reaching too far when I wasn't ready, this poem is the necessary response. Today, in flinty heels, I have found the well and drawn water from it with the guidance of my very good friend, Harper Lewis. It is a set of imperative instructions on how to reclaim one's heart and walk toward the self with resonance. It is a survival guide for the muscles we were told we didn't have. If you got this far, thank you so much for reading. ❤️🤗🙏🏽
About the Creator
Caitlin Charlton
Noir Writer & Close Reader. Spotting the elements of Eloquence.
Survivor. Reclaiming my own territory.
Let us read each other and leave the page free. 🖋️🔥👠
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Keep reading
More stories from Caitlin Charlton and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (53)
So much intentionality when it came to the structure, title, and meaning. Especially like how you connected the dots to the tone. The words that grabbed me, “wait for your own face to be mirrored back”. It’s like coming into full alignment and even a right of passage. Congratulations on a piece finely crafted. Sorry for my late response.
Very thought provoking as usual. Good job!
Bravo! Brilliant, Caitlin. This is a very strong piece, so powerful. "Walk toward yourself." <- This alone screams "you are powerful, you are strong, you are worth it." An absolutely winner. Congratulations on winning a well deserved recognition to your craft. <3
Caitlin, I flet I needed a break from writing so I went on Vocal for a read or two and what should I see WINNER... FIrst off I smiled inside and out to see your work recognized. Then I read this beautiful piece as knew they had no choice but to award the win to you. Each line unlayered a personal part of you, opening up we see you blossom into who you are meeant to be. This line sang to me: 'Walk toward yourself.' Something about it is so simplistic yet one we fail to do. Caitlin you have inspired me to get back to my writing. Congratualions
Beautifully written and congratulations on your well-deserved win!
Huge congratulations Caitlin! I can imagine writing this would have initiated ‘movement’ inside your body. All the feels. I love the determination and resilience that drive your poem 🥰
Heavens, this was beautiful. I especially love this stanza: "Shine your rubies with truth until they fill the hearts of your sisters." I jumped on my chair, shouting "yessss!" I'm so happy to you won this challenge with this piece. 💖
Congratulations on your Win!!!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Yeah, this is deserving of all the accolades. "...crystal cistern..." just one phrase of many that resonate. Congratulations!
Double congratulations, Caitlin. You must on Cloud 9 🥳🥳🥳
Excellent work, Caitlin! Congratulations on a worthy win!
Brilliant! A very worthy winner!
Returning to congratulate you on your win, Caitlin. In my previous comment, I said I expected to see your name on the winner's list, and I was right.🥳😍❣
This is so real I could cut my teeth on it. Mouthfeel is like it’s my own body reacting to the familiar sensations. Congrats on your success it’s amazing 😻
Oooh Chile!!! I'm racing to keep up with these WINS! Fine work. Symbolic tapestry. Congratulations in the highest! 🎉🎉🎉
Awesome! Congrats on your success!
I’m over the moon that this was on the tippity top of the winners’ page, as well as honored and humbled by your author note. You earned this, and I think you should keep taking those strong strides in those flinty heels. Congratulations, my friend. It brings me joy to see you succeed!💖💖💖
WELL DONE!
Yay fucking yay ! Congrats superstar. So proud and pleased on your win.
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 The tone really held my attention. And this line is sad but true. -Let him be smitten by the compliance he mistook for victory.- Not sure why some men treat relationships like a conquest and expect compliance. Great work, Caitlin!
WOW.
Stunning work! This puts the E in Empowering! Go CC!
Caitlin, I expect to see your name on the winner's list with this poem. Congratulations on your top story!🌹🌹🌹
Did I just hear the mic drop?