Alone I sit and contemplate
this thing that we call life:
Desires we cannot satiate,
the struggles and the strife.
I wonder why we do it now,
I wonder why we try.
I wonder why we carry on,
why not lay down and die?
I guess there’s hope—
the future, see?
Our dreams, they are
a mystery . . .
But, no.
It’s been all these years:
He’ll not return to me.
(He’s God’s, can’t you see?)
I wonder why I do it now,
I wonder why I cry.
I wonder why I can’t let go,
for him, alone, I’ll die.
Unworthy . . .
(God judge me.)
…
He doesn’t mourn for me.
…
Image: Pinterest
…
Note: I feel badly. This poem is not about death (at least not in the traditional sense), though it could easily be read that way. Please, dear readers, do not mourn for me. I did not mean to mislead you or look for sympathy.
…
…
shift 
For the angel’s wings I will risk a comment…
You carry on because you have your life to lead (and a very interesting one it is). If there is an afterlife, you will be reunited soon enough.
Nice poem.
Thank you. An angel is very happy. :)
Very moving. Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart on this day. Please, carry on!
Thank you so much. I almost didn’t. I’m glad I did.
Beautiful.
Thank you, friend. :)
:)
I wrote the first three stanzas while riding my bike, believe it or not.
There is something about riding – you’re sitting but you’re in motion. You have company, yet you’re all alone with your head high up in the sky of your thoughts. And so you move through dimensions.
Yes, I believe you. I too know the magic of riding :)
It’s a beautiful poem and has the stamp of your ethereal insight, as the poem slowly disappears the closer it gets to its end, to be replaced by intuition.
Hmm. I hadn’t thought of it that way. The interesting thing is that “he” is not actually dead. But there is truth to what you say. And, in this case, intuition is enough.
I often write while I run or ride. You’re right—there’s something about motion and being alone in your head. It’s a good thing.
This is gorgeous, sad and brave.
Brave. I’ll take it.
Life it is and we’ve to accept it… So live it to the fullest…
True.
Loved it. :)
Thanks, Avani.
Hey Jessica wanna go out one of these days? :)
Haha, Terri. I knew you’d “get” it. ;)
Sure!
Very moving Jessica. It takes courage to do what we do. Beautiful!!!
Thank you, Frank.
Our times of loss, pain, and vulnerability make us empathize and appreciate more deeply the beautiful things in life. We become wiser; able to help and share with others more meaningfully! So PLEASE carry on! You now have more to give!
And hold in. Thanks, Professor Taboo.
I carry on because of my grandchildren. Otherwise…who knows?
Well, I don’t have grandchildren yet… or even children. But I have my love for writing. So that’s something.
conflicted
not on the topic
not on the why
but glad that we are instructed to “judge not lest we be judged more harshly”
so, without Him we have no purpose but without him we have life
it is good to struggle
It *is* a good struggle. Which is why I write.
all very legitimate and honest questions.
Thank you. The only way to write is honestly from your heart. Everything else is just stale.
Only the brave and honest say that ;)
I suppose that that could be true. But even the dishonest know it in their hearts.
true, and sometimes it doesn’t make it any further than that or it vanishes all together.
Which is sad. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
That it is. Thanks for reading them!
So many reasons not to lay down and die! You know that I have many and am happy to share a few with you at any moment you feel that you need reminding. I don’t have any answers on reuniting with God or how you feel you will be judged, but what I know is how much love and beauty there is in this world in front of us. It’s up to you to embrace it, appreciate it and make the most of it. -AB
I know, Arash. And you of all people would know, too. I won’t be laying down and dying any time soon—no worries. Quite the opposite, actually. There’s more to this post than meets the eye. ;)
“I guess there’s hope—
the future, see?
Our dreams, they are
a mystery . . .”
This struck a chord deep within me. Far too many wonders. Always questioning, never answering. May the Lord help us!
Thank you, Sophia. I’m glad it did. I guess I was just trying to articulate why we might keep going even when sometimes everything seems pretty rotten.
There is always a reason to keep going. Hope is hard to kill.
There will always be hope.
:)
in light of the recent tragedies, this title seems fitting.
“carry on,” is what we’re trying to do.
thanks for writing, sharing. =)
Yes, whether a national tragedy or personal trial, we all must carry on… Look for the good instead of focusing on the bad. Tomorrow is a new day!
Jessica, Jessica, I read and wept. So beautiful and so sad. Praise God that you still hear his voice. Sweet lady, please know in your heart that He doesn’t leave you. You can leave him, but He is still there for you and for me and for all your caring friends. I will take you in my heart as I sleep tonight. Tomorrow waits for your gift of beauty and giving.
Oh, Marie. You are so kind. This is a very personal poem (with a back story, of course), but, yes, I know God is there. I know He always will be.
Thank you for your comment and thoughts. I look forward to tomorrow.
Jessica, my heart feels the touch of your heart’s emotion dear sister! I will share something with you I have two young sons who are away from me both born on the same day 5 years apart, and the youngest one Ian died on mothers day! But I keep moving on, taking steps sharing the love God placed within me every day, because with the passing of each day do we not move a little bit closer to a wonderful reunion? Yes we do and it hurts at times and yet there were happy times with both and I have to embrace those even more. Here is a poem I wrote called “butterflies”, and when you read it you will understand and your heart too will be lifted with a healing smile! God bless you and much love to you always my sister!
Butterflies
Whenever I see the butterflies flying
I am reminded of your smiling face,
As I see them taking wing into the sky
I feel emotions which are never displaced
For deep in my heart also live the butterflies
As they come to life within my heart each day
While I count the many sweet memories of you
Which in my thoughts and dreams now stay
The sheer brilliance of their many vibrant colors
Produce a vivid rainbow deep within my mind
Which fills my heart with such an unwavering joy
Allowing me to enjoy them for endless times
And the butterflies will be my dearest treasure
Leaving me never again quite feeling the same
For the peace they bring can never be measured
Because on their wings are gently imprinted your name.
Wendell A. Brown,
Copyright 2011, from
“When Each Day I Write Of You”
That is beautiful, Wendell. Thank you for sharing. And I am so sorry to hear of your loss! A parent should never live to see their child die… I’m glad we have hope in Christ. You’re right—each day forward is one day closer to reunion. I look forward to seeing my grandmother again someday… The loss referred to in this poem was actually something of a different sort. One can be “God’s” without dying. But I can see why people would read it that way.
And maybe it’s better that way. ;)
Much love and God’s blessings to you, too. I am always inspired by your words!
so maybe what happened here is … some missed the possibility within the poem.
in songwriting, ambiguity is a good thing. more than one thing results in a thicker texture. but ambiguity is a source of frustration for the listener (“how can this song mean two or three things at the same time?”)
the more you listen, though, the more you come to appreciate ambiguity as a sign of depth, a thickening of meaning.
it’s a lovely poem. xo tony
thank you, tony. i like poetry because a poem can mean many things, and different things at different times. we pull out of it what we put into it. in this case, though, i would understand if people felt misled.
but you’re right: thickening of meaning. this poem is actually far more agonizing if “God’s” does not mean “dead.”
“Desires we cannot satiate.” Now there’s an eyeful.
…for you. For others, who knows? Right now I’m craving ice cream. It’s after 1 a.m. ;)
Ah, you’ll have to let me know what sort of dreams come with 1am ice cream. :)
What I mean is… I was craving ice cream, but, because it was after 1 a.m., it was a “desire I could not satiate.” I didn’t eat ice cream. I went to bed! :)
Look into the mirror and just smile. :) It works wonders for me!!!
And why have you tagged this post with video games? I couldn’t connect.
Just curious to know… :)
Umm… That’s a good question. I just went with Zemanta’s suggestions and didn’t think about it. Usually by the time I get to tagging a post I’m just ready to be done with it. :P
Maybe “carry on” is the name of a video game?
It’s like a beautiful pain… Really loved this poem.
There can be beauty in pain, or that comes out of it.
Thank you. And thank you so much for commenting. It means a lot to me. :)
I think I catch your drift, but reading is so subjective, you know. Alls I have to say is: be patient!
:)
Thanks, Heath. Reading *is* subjective. Just glad I didn’t make you think of loved ones you’ve lost… I felt so bad!
Very Cathartic. What a great passion you have and a passionate life as well. Beautiful Poem! :)) Glad to connect with you again!
Indeed, cathartic. And passion is my middle name… Well, not quite. But it should be. ;) Thank you! Glad to connect with you again, too!
Ah, Jessica ! So this is THE poem.
I didn’t connect this poem to what we had talked about before. I wonder why. It’s so clear. And it made me tear up. It’s so pure.
Oh, thank you. That means a lot… :)
Aha! It all reads very differently now, with the benefit of all the comments, and your replies in particular.
On a tweety note, good luck with those articles!
Thank you, Pat! Yes… I didn’t realize at first how strongly it would come across or what reactions it would elicit from readers… And thank you for the encouragement on my articles. They’re done! What a relief.
Well done on the articles – I just read about how you met your deadline – ouch!
I have deadlines of my own which have kept me from commenting in detail on your “meaning of life/success” post. Certainly, not having any deadlines would be part of my definition of “success”.
Haha. Mine, too. ;)
Ah, I’ve often wondered the same, but for some reason we keep holding on. Something within us wants to live and I think its worth listening to it. Beautiful piece!
Thank you so much! I think we all wonder that from time to time. But we’re still here. And we’re still striving. And that is all that counts. :)
Thank you for your wonderful comment.
Indeed! No, thank you for sharing this! :)
You’re welcome!
Very well expressed. beautiful
Thank you, Cameron. And so sorry for my delayed response! I’ve been neglecting my blog lately. :(