scars

These scars, they are not blemishes,
But symbols of my strength,
Guiding me through the darkest times,
To find my light at length.

They speak of courage in the face of adversity,
Of wounds that healed, yet left their trace,
Reminders that I’ve weathered life’s storms,
And emerged with a stronger, wiser grace.

These scars, they are not flaws to hide,
But badges of honor, worn with pride,
For they represent the growth I’ve found,
The lessons learned, the ground I’ve ground.

They are the proof that I can endure,
That darkness cannot dim my light for sure,
That I will rise, time and time again,
Unbroken, unshaken, and without disdain.

In the depths of my scars, I see my strength,
A fortitude that knows no bounds,
A resilience that cannot be bound,
A spirit that forever resounds.

So I wear these scars with reverence and grace,
Embracing the story they boldly trace,
For they are the map of my journey so far,
A testament to the warrior that I are.

They remind me that I have the power to heal,
To overcome, to conquer, and to reveal
The true essence of who I’m meant to be,
A vision of hope, a light for all to see.

These scars, they are not burdens to bear,
But gifts that have shaped me, beyond compare,
Empowering me to face each new day,
With the strength to pave my own way.

So I celebrate these scars, my battle-worn marks,
For they are the proof that I’ve walked through the dark,
And emerged stronger, wiser, and more complete,
Ready to embrace the light that I meet.

###

“Joffer Cathy, why do you have these light lines there” [4 year old points to my arms]

“they are a part of who I used to be and who I became” [as soon as I said it, I knew I said too much and braced myself]

[shrugs] “may I have the felt-tip pens to colour?]

I had this conversation this morning with a little girl at work. I am 41 and talking about my scars and self-harm scares me shitless. Mostly because I know I could relapse again and again…

I thank myself for who I became


With each passing day, I’ve grown,
Shedding layers, my true self shown,
A journey of self-discovery,
Embracing the person I’m meant to be.

I’ve weathered storms, faced fears galore,
Emerged stronger than ever before,
Scars that once seemed to mar my skin,
Now tell stories of the strength within.

Through the trials, the tears, the pain,
I found the courage to break the chain,
To silence the doubts that held me back,
And forge a path, never looking back.

Today, I stand tall, proud and free,
Grateful for the person I’ve come to be,
I don’t need proof for my resilience,
I thank myself for my perseverance.

This journey has been far from easy,
But the person I am, how it pleases,
For in my reflection, I now see,
The beauty of the soul that is me.

***

this one was inspired by the line “I thank myself for who I became” in Zara Larsson’s song: Memory Lane

earth scars

The forests fall, the oceans choke,
As we consume without a thought,
Leaving scars that cannot be bought,
Our careless ways, a heavy yoke.

We ravage the earth, heedless of the cost,
Tearing through nature’s delicate dance,
Blinded by greed, we plunder and advance,
Oblivious to the treasures we have lost.

The once-lush canopies now lie in ruin,
Replaced by barren, lifeless ground,
The vibrant hues have all but drowned,
As our relentless actions continue.

The oceans, once vast and teeming with life,
Now choke on the waste we’ve cast aside,
Suffocating the creatures that once did abide,
A witness to our careless, harmful strife.

We claim dominion over this fragile sphere,
Forgetting we’re but guests in nature’s embrace,
Exploiting her bounty, without a trace
Of the reverence we should hold, so dear.

The time has come to heed the earth’s cries,
To mend the wounds we’ve so callously wrought,
And cherish the beauty that can’t be bought,
Lest we lose the world before our very eyes.

Fire & Rain: Poetry Collection by Catherine Tricarico – Pre-Order Now

My new book Fire & Rain will be published on July 12th. We are giving it the final touches to make this the best release yet – writing and editing – wise. Fire & Rain will be the 8th book published (6th poetry collection) since 2018.

Prepare to be captivated by the raw, emotive power of “Fire & Rain” – a poetry collection that delves into the very depths of the human experience.

From the passionate intensity of joy to the profound depths of pain, this collection takes you on an odyssey through the vast oceans of emotion. Each line, each verse, resonates with the complexities of life, weaving an intricate tapestry of heartstrings and spirit-aligning connections.

In the silence of the mind, the whispers of the heart emerge, revealing the human spirit as a living, breathing work of art. Bittersweet and profoundly moving, the verses of “Fire & Rain” invite you to feel the rhythm and rhyme of our shared heartbeat.

Prepare to have your soul stirred, your eyes opened, and your spirit soar as you immerse yourself in the transformative power of this exceptional poetry collection. Experience “Fire & Rain” and let the language of the heart ignite your senses.

PRE-ORDER Fire & Rain NOW from this blog. It’s easy and uncomplicated.

on the back cover of the book, you can find this blurb:

Fire & rain, a journey through joy and pain
Emotions deep as oceans, wide and vast,
Touching souls, in memories that last.

Complexities of life, woven through each line,
Where heartstrings pull and spirits align.
In the silence of the mind, whispers of the heart,
Revealing the human spirit, a living work of art.

Connections deep, beyond the reach of time,
Invisible bonds, in rhythm and in rhyme.
The human experience, rich and bittersweet,
In every verse, our shared heartbeat.

So let these words, from the depths arise,
To stir the spirit and open the eyes.
For poetry is the language, where the soul takes flight, And in its beauty, finds the purest light.

PRE- ORDER YOUR E-BOOK NOW!

bird in a cage

My soul soars high, wings unfurled,
Yet this body, a cage, my world,
Trapped within, I yearn to break free,
To dance and sing, to truly be.

A symphony plays within my heart,
Melodies that never depart,
But my voice, silenced, cannot sing,
This silent song, a caged bird's wing.

I am a spirit, wild and free,
Yearning to roam, to live, to see,
Yet this shell, a prison so unkind,
Holds me back, my true self confined.

I may be bound, but my mind is not,
It paints the world, a vibrant spot,
And in this dance of heart and mind,
I find the freedom I once pined.

Though my body may be trapped in place,
My soul soars high, with passion's grace,
For I am singing, with no voice heard,
I am flying, a caged, yet boundless bird.

monsters

The night's dark veil, a sinister shroud,
Whispers of monsters, their voices so loud,
Creeping and crawling, they seek to invade,
Tormenting my soul, their shadows don't fade.

I stand at the window, my heart filled with dread,
Willing the demons to leave my bed,
No more their haunting, their claws, and their teeth,
I'll fight to keep them from entering beneath.

With fervent resolve, I raise up my voice,
Commanding the shadows, they have no choice,
Begone, foul creatures, this night is mine,
I'll guard my domain, my fortress divine.

The monsters retreat, their power now waned,
My spirit unbroken, my courage regained,
The night's dark embrace, I'll no longer fear,
For I am the master, the monsters must clear.

Sunrise again

The golden rays adorn the sky,

Painting the world with hues so high,

As the sun ascends, its warmth descends,

Caressing my skin, a touch so tender.

Naked and bare, I stand in awe,

Bathed in the glory of nature’s law,

Each ray that kisses my exposed form,

Ignites a feeling, a sacred norm.

The sunrise’s heat, a sensual dance,

Awakens my senses, a divine entrance,

In this moment, I’m one with the light,

A profound connection, a wondrous sight.

If I was a dreamer

If I was a dreamer, my mind would soar,
Unfettered by the chains that bind me to the shore,
Painting visions of a world so grand and free,
Where possibilities know no boundaries.

But alas, I am not, for dreams elude my grasp,
Replaced by the harsh realities that tightly clasp,
The pragmatic mind that seeks the safest path,
Denying the allure of the tempest's wrath.

I long to taste the freedom that dreamers know,
To let my spirit on the winds of wonder blow,
Yet the practical self holds me firmly in its sway,
Denying the chance to drift away.

If only I could shed this mantle of restraint,
And let my heart's true passions paint,
A canvas of endless, boundless imagination,
But I am no dreamer, just a pragmatic creation.

So I watch from the sidelines, a silent spectator,
Envious of those who dare to be a creator,
Wishing I could join their ethereal dance,
But my feet are firmly planted, no room for chance.

Longing (haiku)

Longing for your heart,
Craving your love's embrace, yet
Disconnected souls.

###

New haiku – it will not be in the new book (which still has no title)

Looking for a book-title

I am looking for a title for my next poetry collection. As of today, the manuscript and the formatting is done. 101 poems are written, an ISBN is ordered. There are only two things missing: a title and a blurb. As faithful readers you know the themes of my poems. Most of my poems are about love and longing, about dreams and wishes, about destiny and fate, about whispers and screams of the mind and soul.

Or differently said: my poems are capable of touching the deepest parts of the human experience and leaving a lasting imprint on the heart and mind. (hopefully) They are about fate, and deep emotional connections and they explore the complexities of life, relationships, and the human spirit. Or so I think.

I have a couple of ideas, but I am not quite sure. I would be grateful for your help.

here are my personal ideas:

  • echoes of existence
  • whispers of destiny
  • threads of enchantment
  • whispers of the soul

These are the ones I am playing with right now.

As for a cover, I am not quite sure yet, but since I am often writing about the sky and the stars, I might look into that direction.

Right now, I need to pace myself. Most often when I am in this phase of creation, I tend to get sloppy and overly hasty because I feel an accomplishment at the tip of my fingers. I get overly excited. It takes a lot of effort to slow the process down.

I am looking for some feedback and I would be grateful for your help. Also, feel free to share this post (or any other on the blog).

Thank you all

divine chemistry

Liquid moonlight, soft and pale,
Caresses the earth with a gentle veil,
A radiant aura, a cosmic grace,
Illuminating the world with its embrace.

Essence of an exploded star,
Shining bright, a radiant scar,
Remnants of a life once lost,
Now a beacon, a guiding light, at any cost

Your tomorrows, now all mine to hold,
A sacred trust, a story untold,
Together we'll face the future's call,
My heart's embrace, your shielding wall.

Being with me, the end of you,
A transformative journey, ever true,
As our souls entwine, a new life begins,
Transcending the past, our future wins.

The chemistry of attraction, a dance divine,
Binding us together, a love so sublime,
We outlived the past, our bond so strong,
In this moment, our love will forever belong.

###

poetry – 130 words – reading time: 1 minute

in the labyrinth of life

We walk the winding paths of existence,
A labyrinth laid out with intricate persistence.
Each corridor, a chapter, each turn, a tale,
In the grand narrative, we each unveil.

No map in hand, no compass to guide,
Just the pulse of intuition we carry inside.
The walls rise high, a maze of choices,
Echoing with the remnants of past voices.

Some paths are lit with the glow of success,
Others shrouded in the shadows of distress.
Yet we step forward, one foot then another,
Finding strength in the journey, not the cover.

We meet fellow travelers, souls intertwined,
Sharing moments of joy and pain combined.
In their eyes, a reflection of our own quest,
In their stories, our fears and hopes confessed.

The labyrinth’s heart, a mystery concealed,
Its center, a truth waiting to be revealed.
With each twist and turn, we grow, we learn,
Embracing the uncertainty at every junction’s turn.

There are dead ends, walls we cannot breach,
Lessons in limits, and dreams just out of reach.
But with each setback, a new path emerges,
As resilience kindles and courage surges.

In this maze, we are not merely survivors,
But seekers of wisdom, life’s deep divers.
For in the labyrinth, we are not lost but found,
In its complexity, our spirits unbound.

So let us navigate with empathy and grace,
Through life’s labyrinth, at our own unique pace.
For it is not the exit we seek with zest,
But the understanding that the journey itself is the test.

###

poetry – 251 words – reading time: 1 minute

destiny ablaze

In the vastness of time, our destinies are shaped,
With courage and fervour, our struggles are draped.
A destiny ignited, under the watchful eyes of the cosmos,
We become the architects of our own journey.

Our aspirations soar through the inferno of trials,
Lifted by the wings of hope, across treacherous miles.
Each ember is a silent vow of a dream to be realized,
A luminescence against the backdrop of the obscured.

The sound of determination echoes with each strike,
Molding our desires with the force of our psyche.
It’s not by chance, but by our own volition that we set ablaze,
The routes we select, navigating life’s complex labyrinth.

Let the blaze of destiny shine unyielding,
In its radiance, the intricate weave of existence is revealing.
A testament to a life embraced with zeal,
Marking our presence with every stride we feel.

A destiny self-crafted, a narrative we write,
In the rhythm of the ages, where the gales incite.
With passions kindled, we gaze upon the celestial,
In relentless pursuit of our destiny, ever ethereal.

A destiny luminous, a trail so vivid,
Through the obscurity of night and challenges livid.
A tale inscribed in the celestial expanse,
Shepherding souls with an infinite expanse of ardour.

###

poetry – 206 words – reading time: 1 minute

into the unknown

As we navigate the uncharted sea,
With each wave, we forge our destiny.
In the depths, uncertainty may churn,
But towards the stars of dreams, we turn.

With every step, the unknown less daunting,
In the echoes of adventure, our hearts flaunting.
The flicker of fear, now a guiding light,
Illuminating paths through the darkest night.

So let us journey with hearts ablaze,
Through the unknown, we’ll find our ways.
For in the quest, not the distance we span,
But the courage to grow, to be more than we began.

###

poetry – 91 words – reading time: less than 1 minute

sentinel of love

With an unyielding heart and a fierce spirit, I proudly stand as your sentinel, defender of your grace. Against the rage of the storm and the appeal of darkness, I will protect you, my love, with every fiber of my being. No harm will breach our sacred ground. For you, my beloved, I will confront every daunting challenge and enfold you in a warm and secure embrace. Your safety is my sole purpose. So rest peacefully, my dear, in tranquil serenity, for I am here to banish every fear and be the rock that will never falter. In my embrace, may uncertainty and peril stay at bay. For in this world of chaos, toil, and angst, I will safeguard you, my love, with unwavering devotion.

###

poetry – 125 words – reading time: 1 minute