One week later.
Still scattered across the landscape,
pieces of our hearts, our lives, our dreams –
all of the verdant possibilities now dead.
We cannot count what was lost
nor understand what is left.
How we stand, where we walk,
what we see: all is filtered through the
etched glass of incomprehensible pain.
One month later.
The earth, for now, lies still,
but echoes of the ground-swell,
ripples of the fearsome wave
have not vanished. Our knees tremble,
our hands shake, our tears overflow.
In such state, we seek to mend the deepest wounds
that still lie open, weeping the dark sera
Of unfathomable grief.
One year later.
Lives forever altered, we stand, to walk again.
With slow yet steady steps
we trace out anew the architecture of our lives
and build upon the footprints of long-ago dreams,
and lost love, a firmer foundation.
We will not forget what we have learned.
A body’s strength is insubstantial,
That which our eyes perceive can fail.
What lives within, unseen, will endure.
A lifetime later.
New generations live today
that bear no scars of our sorrows past.
We tell our tales, urgently determined
that the ears of innocence will listen and learn –
Trust not in the ground beneath your feet;
Value those you love, and never forget –
What we hold in our hands can be broken,
with a moment’s upheaval, with a single wave.
All is gone. Only love remains.
Gentle Readers, the cataclysmic events of the past week in Japan, the past year in Haiti, all the man-made and natural disasters of recent years, and of generations long ago – all these things have weighed heavy on my heart, as photographs and memories have been displayed, and the stories told of life and death, of loss and recovery, of pain and relief. In my prayers, I lift all those who are suffering through pain – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through my prayers I seek to relinquish despair, knowing that the Love of God is unquenchable, all-encompassing, and everlasting. In this confidence I can affirm that indeed, “perfect Love casts out all fear.”
I wish, I hope, I pray you all enough. . .
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Broken Sparkles said:
I am with you in the prayers Paula! Let’s hope love will make miracles for these people and Japan!
Paula Tohline Calhoun said:
Thank you for coming by, Blaga! Of course, I believe that love is the only true miracle, and that it will triumph ultimately; but I know it will take time, and needs to be covered in prayer.
lunawitch15 said:
Blessed Be.
Paula Tohline Calhoun said:
Thank you lunawitch15! Blessed be, indeed!
KRM said:
I’m deeply moved by your poem, your passion, and your prayers. This is a beautiful submission.
Paula Tohline Calhoun said:
Thank you so much, KRM. I will be over to your site directly. I have “fallen down on the (reading) job,” the past couple of weeks, due to some exigent circumstances. Hope I can make it up over the next few days.
Japan and Haiti – both in different stages of shock and recovery – need our constant prayer and loving support in whatever way we can offer it!
Life: Between the lines said:
This was so touching and painful like some of the pictures mentioned. It hurts just to see the devastation, the tears, the losses…I can’t imagine what they must be going through and yes I fear where it may hit next…
Nice write, touching, vibrant.
Enjoy the rally!
http://lynnaima.wordpress.com/
tasithoughts said:
Amazingly powerful..love remains.
JP
http://tasithoughts.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/when-will-i-know/
Vinay said:
yes.. from present to future.. a vision and love I hope that land gets as time moves on 🙂 wonderful work…
Here’s My Poem For Poets Rally
Paula Tohline Calhoun said:
Thank you!
bendedspoon said:
beautiful and moving. thank you for passing on the love 🙂
Paula Tohline Calhoun said:
Thanks for coming by! i’ll be over to your site as soon as I can. My life has been upside down the last couple of weeks, and i have failed to fulfill my reading obligations – something i really love – but hopefully i will get back in the swing soon.
belladonna23 said:
beautiful
Paula Tohline Calhoun said:
Thanks so much! i will return the favor a.s.a.p. – and I am looking forward to it, as always!
Jingle said:
love your imaginations.
well penned,
welcome to poets rally..
have fun.
😉
Paula Tohline Calhoun said:
You are always encouraging Jingle – thanks for your support. Please accept my aapologies for the completely unintentional occurrence of failing to read my “quota” in the rally and potluck! I love reading, so it is not a burden, but some difficult family circumstances have arisen over the past couple of weeks, turning things upside down and swallowing up my time. I hope to be back in the swing soon. Thanks for your forebearance.
nrhatch said:
Beautiful thoughts and sentiments. Thanks, PTC.
And LOL about TB. I started to call Tilly that one day and stopped myself for the same reason.
Paula Tohline Calhoun said:
Great minds, Nancy. . . 😀
Tilly Bud said:
A touching poem.
Paula Tohline Calhoun said:
Thank you, Tilly! (I was going to type “TB,” but thought again. . .why would I thank such a disease?) 😀
AShley said:
Outstanding.
Paula Tohline Calhoun said:
Thanks, Hon’, you are always my first and greatest supporter!
viewfromtheside said:
Lovely one, we all see the pictures. Some make us cry for the people, others strike fear into our hearts. But to be lucky enough never to have experienced such things leaves us guessing at the internal devastation these events leave, lobg after the place seems habitable again.
Your poem could be the banner for erescue services.
Paula Tohline Calhoun said:
Thank you for that comment, Sidey. I have read so many beautiful reflections and poems related to the most recent events in Japan. It is heartening to know how many people are responding with love, but not just through their words – but in their financial contributions, their actions and physical presence, and their prayers.
Cindy said:
I do hope your prayers work, I’m praying with you. xxx