Rate:4.9 / 8 votes

Jagged Edges

Betsy Wokersien Stephens

April 22 
Jagged edges
Tearing my heart
Fragile soul
Ripping apart
Fractured thoughts
Locked down inside
Detonate
Like dynamite

Stop and breath
Cleanses deep
Exposing
What's underneath
Fallen down
Alone and lost
Carrying
A heavy cross

Jagged Edges
Smoothing with time
Shattered pieces
Realign
Hope shines in
Lighting the dawn
Inner demons
Have all withdrawn

Stop and breath
Cleanses deep  
Exposing
What's underneath
Rising up
Seeking the truth  
Redemption found
My faith renewed

About this poem

Jagged Edges signifies the pain and torment suffered while facing insurmountable obstacles and lays the foundation for hope and survival.

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Written on May 07, 2017

Submitted by BetsyStephens on April 02, 2022

Modified on May 03, 2023

28 sec read
1,204

Quick analysis:

Scheme Abxbxxxx CDEFxxex Axaxxgxg CDEFxxxx
Closest metre Iambic dimeter
Characters 489
Words 92
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 8, 8, 8, 8
Full analysis for Jagged Edges »

Betsy Wokersien Stephens

 · 1958 · Idaho

Betsy spent her career working as a hairdresser. Now retired, she draws many of her writing inspirations from the years sharing life stories with her clients while they sat in the chair of her salon. Through each event celebrated, tragic event mourned, and secrets divulged, she gained an awareness of the much larger picture that exists outside her own perceptions and life experiences. more…

All Betsy Wokersien Stephens poems | Betsy Wokersien Stephens Books

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Discuss the poem Jagged Edges with the community...

15 Comments
  • delano
    delano
    Ooh. This is one of the best i'vr read. Nice length
    LikeReply 13 months ago
    • BetsyStephens
      BetsyStephens
      Thank you! I really appreciate your comment!
      LikeReply3 months ago
    • delano
      delano
      welcome
      LikeReply3 months ago
  • Eddo
    Eddo
    thank you for that
    LikeReply 18 months ago
    • BetsyStephens
      BetsyStephens
      You are most welcome and thank you for your kind remark.
      LikeReply8 months ago
  • sharon_schwartz
    sharon_schwartz
    Thank-you for this poem it speaks so much to me
    LikeReply 21 year ago
    • BetsyStephens
      BetsyStephens
      Thank you! That means so much to me!
      LikeReply8 months ago
  • luisestable1
    luisestable1
    What is to be seen here is how this poem develops to give a happy ending and that becoming an uplifting poem.
    Nothing odd or complicated about the language which is simple but meaningful.
    Good read!
    LikeReply 11 year ago
    • BetsyStephens
      BetsyStephens
      Thanks, I really appreciate your feedback.
      LikeReply1 year ago
  • lovingempath
    lovingempath
    Your short lines carry a powerful punch Betsy! WOW!
    LikeReply1 year ago
  • Philipo
    Philipo
    Fine work here. It is meant to have confusing and multiple meanings and that is what your work has.
    LikeReply 11 year ago
    • BetsyStephens
      BetsyStephens
      Thank you!
      LikeReply1 year ago
    • Reil
      Reil
      Your a well trained eye and saw right thru to the core. So many comments but yours rings true. There were questions but no one seemed to know the truth. But you do.
      LikeReply 11 year ago
  • Soulwriter
    Soulwriter
    I like how the form reflects the content. You have touched many with your words. Thanks for sharing!
    LikeReply 12 years ago
    • BetsyStephens
      BetsyStephens
      Thank you so much! I appreciate your feedback.
      LikeReply2 years ago
  • dturtledove1998
    dturtledove1998
    Molto bello Betsy! It touched me deep! Congratulations!
    LikeReply 12 years ago
    • BetsyStephens
      BetsyStephens
      Thank you! I appreciate your kind comment and support!
      LikeReply2 years ago
    • Reil
      Reil
      With all due respect may I ask for a point of clarification? What exactly was insurmountable in your life situation refereed to in the poem?
      LikeReply2 years ago
    • sharon_schwartz
      sharon_schwartz
      dealing with one’s inner demons is the insurmountable obstacles. This comes from my own personal experience those have always been the most challenging. As someone who has struggled with mental illness the majority of my life. It started as a young child with hypersensitivity and anxiety. I can totally relate to this poem in my own way. 
      LikeReply 21 year ago
    • BetsyStephens
      BetsyStephens
      I am touched knowing this poem spoke to you. Thank you so much!
      LikeReply 11 year ago
  • abielias1
    abielias1
    Wow, a deserving win! Congratulations!
    LikeReply 12 years ago
  • lynette_i
    lynette_i
    Beautiful poem Betsy!
    LikeReply 12 years ago
  • Reil
    Reil
    wow im floored at these ideas just floored....
    LikeReply 22 years ago
  • acronimous
    acronimous
    Congratulations Betsy -- Well deserved!
    LikeReply 12 years ago
  • maxb.38968
    maxb.38968
    I'm confused, I thought this was an April contest. Her poem was submitted on May 8th. Can someone explain this?
    LikeReply2 years ago
    • acronimous
      acronimous
      The submission date is actually the date when the poem became public -- not the date it was nominated for the contest.
      LikeReply2 years ago
    • Reil
      Reil
      Will you please clarify the nomination thing. It came to me that any body who pays to have their submission entered into that months contest is called a nomination or am I missing the majik here?
      LikeReply2 years ago
    • Reil
      Reil
      @acronimousWill you please clarify the nomination thing. It came to me that any body who pays to have their submission entered into that months contest is called a nomination or am I missing the majik here? I still feel it important to get an answer. 
      LikeReply2 years ago
    • acronimous
      acronimous
      Right, every poem that officially entered the contest can be referred to as a contest nominee.
      LikeReply2 years ago
  • niiccole_anne
    niiccole_anne
    Because this is the beautiful process benefits & results of Meditation.
    LikeReply 12 years ago
  • Kendallsanburn
    Kendallsanburn
    It captures the feelings of pain and suffering and hope for a better tomorrow in a way that makes sense to me. Its not too complicated and imaginative.
    LikeReply 12 years ago
    • BetsyStephens
      BetsyStephens
      Thank you for your kind feedback.
      LikeReply2 years ago
    • Reil
      Reil
      I agree not too complicated or imaginative.
      LikeReply2 years ago

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"Jagged Edges" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 21 Mar. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/126426/jagged-edges>.

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