I was wondering if anybody could identify with the following beautiful conceived piece by Molly Drake, Nick Drake’s mother. It featured on the documentary ‘A Skin Too Few’ and was recited by Gabrielle, Nick’s sister. It’s quite a brutal and no-holds barred portrayal of existence and think that maybe it is a phase that many experience, particularly the often hyper-sensitive creative mind of a writer who is constantly empathizing, inventing and reinventing persona’s and subjects to search out some kind of a truth and reality…I think it is important to recognize the dangers and pitfalls, which I am slowly beginning to recognize myself. This ‘…the furthest deep’ is all well and good searching for it, but to be at the very least aware that this is what you are doing and where you are going in your mind etc etc so that you are able to defend yourself from yourself, if you understand what I mean…I’m starting to lose grip of the point I’m trying to make myself now…the poem speaks for itself, here it is…

The Shell

Living grows 'round us like a skin
to shut away the desolation
for if we clearly mark the furthest deep
we should be dead long years before the grave

But turning around within
the homely shell of worry, discontent
and narrow joy
we grow and flourish
and rarely see the outside dark
that would confound our eyes

Some break the shell
I think that there are those
who push their fingers through the brittle walls
and make a hole
and through that cruel slit
stare out across the cinders of the world
with naked eyes
They look both in and out
knowing themselves
and too much else beside

Molly Drake

Each line is so powerful.There is a creative website that will help you to create a plaque with images of your choice and have it mounted along with the poem. Please check out: www.PlakYourPoem.com and be the giver and receiver of joy.

cool site...not sure about being 'the giver and reciever of joy' though, that would be pretentious (...joke, or not!?) thanks elie123...db