We are born into life
With a contained grief
Crushed
Aching
Once a puzzle
Now a dance
We sit a while
Muffle a scream
Wash our hands
Light the fire
The beam chases up the walls
It is a subtle twilight
A forgotten endurance
We cannot remember what we have stolen
It is all in the past
A common bond
We have found a way forward
A way to balance the grief
We dream of better days
Hope there is more light
Less suffering
Her sweet cheeks glow in the half light
Drowsy and content
I watch her drift off into sleep
And for one tiny moment the world feels right.
To be born into grief makes me think it's not that different from being born into guilt... nevertheless we need those brief moments to feel good...
ReplyDeleteOh, I particularly love those four closing lines. May the moment lengthen and last!
ReplyDeleteAll it takes is one tiny moment for the world to feel right. Many of those tiny moments strung together can make one feel almost invincible, but certainly better prepared to face the next grief that comes.
ReplyDeleteGrief is something that tears at us from within ... thank goodness for poetry to combat it ❤️
ReplyDeleteAnd that "tiny moment" helps the world (and us) move and grow.
ReplyDeleteThose tiny moments become so meaningful in the face of grief.
ReplyDeleteAnd all those tiny moments strung together makes a beautiful necklace of strong todays...
ReplyDelete"We have found a way forward / a way to balance the grief." That is the secret, and how wise of you to know it. Grief becomes a presence we live with, thankfully balanced by gratitude for the many beauties and blessings of being alive. I love this poem, Jae.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for the small things that keep us going when everything else pulls us down.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope there are many moments like this Jae when the world feels right. Often when you write introspective work like this I am sure many readers will sympathise or concur with that view,
ReplyDelete