Barraged by noise, the clanging and banging sounds of industry insidiously
creeping into every corner, every moment, every thought
I lost the ability to find silence
and when faced with adversity, issues and challenges relentless in their pursuit
of chaos, of turmoil, of white-hot anger, of well-planned revenge
I lost perspective
I met a woman once by chance as we shared the same road
Content as cold winds blew through our common space, she smiled
The jostling of irritated commuters vying for optimum position didn’t bother her
She sat, hands folded, smiling at anyone who happened to look in her direction
Intrigued, I had to know more
and so I slid into the seat beside her
to listen to her story
Her days were not long for this earth, she shared
as she took my hand and patted it without reservation
Her words spoken next cut above it all until there was nothing else to hear
When all options are stripped away
without warning or consideration
for what might have been,
only one choice remains
Serenity
She told me she imagines herself
a cathedral
where quiet serenades her soul
and soft beauty cushions her fear
She told me she imagines herself
a vessel
something to provide comfort and shelter
as she anticipates this next journey
We spent the last few miles alone together
in imagined places the outside world could not reach
When the last stop was called and we turned to go separate ways
I wished her well and thanked her
a gift of perspective
I cherished it as I continued alone
a walk in silence to find my way
home
photo: Peterio – MLMM Photo Challenge 179
prompts: WordPress Daily Post, #writingandhealing, #becomingfragile
Writing and Reflections 
I didn’t like this picture for photo Challenge but I really loved your poem about this person dying imagining what she will be when she’s gone. What she wants to do and provide for those left behind. It’s really beautiful as is the person listenings realization that serenity is needed in her life. You made this photograph lovely with your words and now I can look on in differently 🙂
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Thanks. I had the same thoughts about the picture but decided to look at it through different eyes. Sorry I missed this comment! I had almost 10 comments that somehow slipped into the spam folder. 😦
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No worries, it happens on WP unfortunately! 😊
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Has emotional tones which speaks to everyone that seeks serenity…..like the strength entwined in this poem/setting
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Thank you!
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Great post!! Loved the line – “I met a woman once by chance as we shared the same road” I entered this phrase in your account at my Word Bank as seeds of inspiration.
Chuck
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Love that idea! Thank you
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Glad you liked it. You might want to try it. I have found that it is very, very helpful to have seeds of inspiration stored up for those times when nothing come to mind to write about. Then you can reach back and pull out a seed and get a beautiful blossom from the past.
In fact I got one this morning that ended up blooming on me today from something I just read. I will be posting it tonight. Actually it bloomed before I could deposit it in the bank. It was just one word but it hit me. It pays to be on the lookout for great words and phrases. It is titled “I Cannot Write In Cursive” – the word was “Cursive”. I hope you come by to view it??
Chuck
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Absolutely! One of my goals for this year is to be more active in responding to the work of others. I’m reworking my teaching strategies and that’s eating a lot of my time, but once things settle in at school, I’ll be more involved.
I’m looking forward to reading your latest posts. I’ll stop by before the end of the day.
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Powerful piece, I feel the love pouring out of the woman myself.
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Thank you
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