Ways to Throw a Small Stone
Listen to Carmella ...
When you want to let go of something sad-
Skim it across the water.
When you are joyful, and your cup is full of love –
Throw it upwards,
Watch it drop merrily from above.
When you are excited –
Toss it from hand to hand, side to side, smile to smile.
When you love someone or something –
Throw it into the sea,
Watch your love bobble along, float and slowly saunter to the bottom of the rocky seabed.
When you are angry –
Throw it against a brick wall,
Feel your tears bounce back to you,
See your anger in the stone,
Cry a little,
Let it all go.
I have let many stones go.
They are all important memories I have left along the shore.
Skim it across the water.
When you are joyful, and your cup is full of love –
Throw it upwards,
Watch it drop merrily from above.
When you are excited –
Toss it from hand to hand, side to side, smile to smile.
When you love someone or something –
Throw it into the sea,
Watch your love bobble along, float and slowly saunter to the bottom of the rocky seabed.
When you are angry –
Throw it against a brick wall,
Feel your tears bounce back to you,
See your anger in the stone,
Cry a little,
Let it all go.
I have let many stones go.
They are all important memories I have left along the shore.
This poem is copyright (©) Carmella de Keyser 2026
About the Writer
Carmella de Keyser
Carmella de Keyser is a prize-winning British poet, known for explorations of identity and heritage. Founder of the Harlow Circle of Poetry Stanza, judge for the Harlow Poetry Open, she has five books published or forthcoming, from Hedgehog Press, Alien Buddha Press, Parlyaree Press and the Seventh Quarry Press.
