abled — Summary

Shakeable Breakable Afraid & scared Terrified Electrified Uneasy & unprepared

Show the whole poemHide the poem

Learn Poems app

Try the Learn Poems app

Everything from the website trainer, and more: new exercises, voice recording and sharing, reminders, quick review.

Right away, the title gives us a clue. "Abled" is a word we usually meet with its negative attached, as in "disabled," so its bare, odd form makes us stop and wonder. The poem may be playing with the idea of being capable or whole, and then showing how shaky that feeling can be.

The poem itself is just six short lines, and almost all of them are feelings of fear. The speaker calls themselves "shakeable" and "breakable," words that suggest someone fragile, easily knocked over. Then come "afraid & scared" and "terrified," which pile on top of each other like a rising panic. "Electrified" stands out, since it adds a jolt of nervous energy, as if the fear runs through the body like a current. The last line, "uneasy & unprepared," ends on helplessness.

The mood is tense and exposed. There's no story or explanation, only raw feeling, which makes the poem feel immediate and a little overwhelming.

Read also

More by cornthedork

All poems
Anxiouscornthedork

My own

Uncomfortable In my own home Crawling Under my own skin
Sadcornthedork

Stood up

I stood up Bold and brave For myself Copying others' ways
Cheerfulcornthedork

Night out

We had a lot of fun At our own expense I look at those pictures And watch that video