The shadows
lengthened
Sky turned pale;
I looked on
There was
charm even on a sinking face
Lynched by
cancer- a life pledged, to be more aware
More tolerant,
and more responsible, more loving
Awake with
unsuspected powers; or
May be
with the visions of terminal horrors
Lovely as a
flower… she was withering
The smell of
medicines gave me chronic insomnia
All I could do
was write poetry all night
The muscles of
the mind picked up power
Soaking emotional excesses...
Poems of the
long road, unsteady nights
Healed the weight of the restless hours...
I’m happy that I've taken a stab at writing poetry. I write
poems to heal myself. The above poem has reference to my personal experience with
my mother-in-law, when she was admitted in a hospital in her last days. Writing
really helped me get through the hard time.
Kim, that was indeed a wonderfully therapeutic prompt....
Written for http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.ca/2013/05/verse-first-poetry-heals.html// Poetry Heals..
all these poems are tough, and bit sad, but with a glimmer of poetic hope
ReplyDeleteYou read it well, bro..Thanks a lot for yr feedback..:)
Deleteglad you have found an avenue to get your pain out plus the love you pour out in tribute to your mother-in-law is beautiful
ReplyDeletemoondustwriter
Leslie, My pleasure to share what I came across in life...a wonderful MIL...:) Thanks a ton!
DeletePanchali,
ReplyDeleteThere is such a remedy to be found in poetic expression. It can ease so many pains, as a vehicle to exorcise the ills of the moment.
Excellent personal words Panchali:)
Eileen
Eileen..It's all because poets Because poets venture where normally people are reluctant to go..dig deeper--so pains ease. Thanks for your compliments..means a lot to me:) Thank you.
DeletePanchali, this is so amazing. Your words vividly describe the painful journey of a loved one
ReplyDeletedying, I feel every word, the same feelings I experienced being with my dad during his final days.
Lisa..I am glad you could relate to the feelings expressed here. Actually it is a simple story of life and death, which we all have to go through time and again..:((
DeleteThanks a ton!
"Lovely as a flower… she was withering" The sadness of your loss is felt in your words.
ReplyDeleteYou picked up my favorite line, Robyn. Many thanks...
DeleteThe responses to this prompt illustrate exactly how poetry heals. This is wonderful, Panchali. "Poems of the long road"....this is how we write ourselves home.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry...I am glad that the simplicity of this made an instant appeal for you...it's far too exhausting to live with pains. Many thanks!
DeleteI understand so very well what you mean. I wrote poetry incessantly as well when someone I cared deeply about was dying. Poetry was my salvation. My poems were not easy for anyone to read, but they were my reality....and I wrote them as I came. I had to. Yes, Panchali, I definitely understand!!!
ReplyDeleteMary, I loved this line-'My poems were not easy for anyone to read, but they were my reality'-- How right you are...the statement does not strike one as absurd.Its amazing how easily you connect with the theme and understand its dimensions.
DeleteMany thanks, Mary.
Sure it does heal. I write poems when I am deep in pain or love. It comforts...
ReplyDeleteFiF...it's far too exhausting to live with pain on a daily basis, so artists love to explore for comforts...thanks re..
DeletePanchali dear this poem is soul stirring and full of emotions.I can feel your pain in each word. EXCELLENT .
ReplyDeleteUsha..your beautiful comment evoked some sort a feeling inside. Splendid!! Thank you for your constant support and encouragement.
DeleteMany many thanks, my dear friend.
Very nice Panchali. Our passions are always the healers. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteYes, poetry might well be one of the most daunting of mediums most conducive to personal, emotive expression...hence, they heal quickly.
DeleteMany thanks, Ranjana.
SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR MOM IN LAW. BUT VERY RIGHTLY SAID THAT POETRY HEALS US FOR IT TAKES OUT OUR DEEP SEATED EMOTIONS....
ReplyDeleteOh no..this happened some years ago...as they say, 'poetry, when used for expression and therapeutic purposes, can open doors to healing that were previously barred.' Thanks Vandana..:)
DeleteVery poetic.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rajesh.
DeleteHealed the weight of the restless hours. - Loved this last line, written in love from the heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you, alan for your comment and appreciation..its truly encouraging.
Deletevery true straight from the heart
ReplyDeleteThanks Akila....:))
DeleteHello Dear Panchali!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your Mother.
I believe that poetry is powerful.
Kisses.
I send greetings from distant Polish.
Lucia
Lucia !! My visit to your blog is long overdue..I'll be there soon :))
DeleteThanks for your comforting lines. Kisses and hugs back. Thank you.
I'll be in your space soon...
Greetings from India, my friend. xoxo
Very true and it has come out straight form your heart. I agree completely that poems can help you heal.
ReplyDeleteLoved these line-
'The muscles of the mind picked up power
Soaking emotional excesses...
Poems of the long road, unsteady nights
Healed the weight of the restless hours...'
...and these worst experiences remain our passionate life companions.A tragedy again..but, writing is therapeutic! Thanks kislaya for liking those lines..I am overwhelmed.
DeleteWriting indeed heals one's soul! A good composition Panchaliji :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Bushra!!!:))
DeleteWell said Mama.... Lots of people have a day like that in their life.......
ReplyDeleteYes...it happens and we seal them in a variety of containers!! Thank you, Lasha for stopping by..and for your comment.
Deletedo hope your poetry heals you: body and soul
ReplyDeleteIt has...bro. Thanks for coming back again to find out. :)
DeleteThe right poem at the right time, the right words in the right order can put all those whirling pains to rest. It can show a way through or can give a shield to hide behind.
ReplyDeleteThank you for liking this poem..Appreciate it..Easwar:)
DeleteYour writing is absolutely stunning I am so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law living overseas away from my own mother I have bonded with my mother-in-law though we are both antisocial and perhaps because we are we have an understanding. Your wonderful poetry inspires me
ReplyDeletehahaha...that's a wonderful way to live- a pair of antisocials? Oh... mind in love and misery! You are adorable...
DeleteWell, 'understanding' is the base-line of good relationships...
Your lovely comment just made my day! Seriously, thank you so much for your kind words. Congratulations on your relationship with your MIL, and I am sure both of you will be really really happy in life! Thank you so much for reading my blog
while it reminds me of my grand ma ( mum's mum )who fought brave against cancer and only recently she left us..I am sorry to hear about your priceless loss.. and each and every word speak out your emotions !! Healing up is life .. and thankfully you have writing as the first-aide box.
ReplyDeleteMysay.in....sorry to hear about your grand mum. Hope your Mom is coping well...Please accept my condolences.
DeleteI’m so pleased that you've found my poem interesting --my first-aid box??? hahahaha...wait, I shall write on this soon.:))
Thanks re..
Lovely poem
ReplyDeleteThe smell of medicines gave me chronic insomnia
All I could do was write poetry all night
Wonderfully penned .
Travel India
Thank you for yr comment and appreciation, Vishal.
DeleteIt must have been very painful to see her wither thus.We are so helpless in face of such calamities,and yes poetry does give catharsis.
ReplyDeleteIndu, I knew you would understand this.. a psychiatrist after all. Death is natural, but traumatic for the ones who sit and see a life wither..a little every day.
DeletePoetry can take the most extreme emotions and bottle them like tinctures to balm and heal, hence writing heals. Thanks for that insightful feedback.
This is both a beautiful description of your journey with your mother-in-law and your journey of the soul healing itself through the writing process. Lovely! I was especially moved by the last line!On The Border
ReplyDeleteThank you, wabisabipoet for endorsement and that pat on the back .Appreciate it. Happy that you enjoyed reading this piece. Thanks a bunch :)
DeleteHello Panchali Mam. That is a moving piece of writing. One can easily associate with the feeling of the author. I love it when simple words evoke the strongest of feelings in our hearts, for I believe that it is not the presence of rich words(i am not undermining their value)that enrich a writing, but it is essentially the artistry of a writer that matters when it comes to writing powerful pieces. And you are certainly a master at that.
ReplyDeleteLoved it thoroughly. Keep writing mam. :)
Deepak.. You are kind. Thanks for that lovely comment. I liked the encouragement and coming from YOU, I'm in seventh heaven..:D Thanks a lot!
DeleteSad to learn about your MIL. You have indeed used the right vehicle to express your emotions.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fayaaz...you touched me with that comment....
DeleteSo poignant. I just wanna give you a tight hug, Panchali di. I've no doubt your MIL was fortunate to have you for a daughter in law.
ReplyDeletePoetry really is a great outlet for painful feelings and yeah, it does help heal too. Please keep writing. Your writing is so pleasant.
Hugs back, Divya!! So glad that someone like you came here , read and left such a lovely comment here...it just made my day!
DeleteYes, Divya...the power of language to heal is not a recent discovery. Throughout the ages humankind has explored the therapeutic value of language and literature. And its truly a great outlet for feelings!!
Thanks a bunch ...do visit again.♥
Very sorry for your loss. Good you found an outlet for your grief and sadness. Your poem depicts your emotions well.
ReplyDeleteDropping by from the Verse First Linky.
touching one
ReplyDeleteLynched by cancer... what a powerful phrase.You did such a good job writing this experience in a brief and moving way. A great share for the Verse First prompt!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2013/05/10/wounded/
Exactly....Writing...heals up my emotional side...and it makes me strong...this poem was about the pain and suffering though at times a person who is herself suffering looks to the world around as if there's nothing wrong ...i don't how people do it...whether a disease like cancer makes them strong or they don't want to show their pain to others...as such others would be far more bothered for their pain.
ReplyDelete/Poems of the long road, unsteady nights
DeleteHealed the weight of the restless hours.../
Beautiful lines. Thanks.
Hi Panchali,
ReplyDeleteNice to be here.
The expression are well versed.
Thanks for sharing this.
The letter's font size is too small
pl. increase the size.
Keep inform
Keep writing
Philip @ Philipscom
An ambassador to A to Z Challenge @ Tina's Life is Good
And My Bio-blog
Amazing poetry, you sure have a way with words. Sorry to hear about your mother-in-law.
ReplyDeletePoetry does heal us at times we are low ... perhaps that's the magic of words ... writing helps us release the pent up worries and tension !!!
ReplyDeleteheavy to carry it into head...
ReplyDelete