I Will Survive

Tears were shed
hearts broken
but it doesn't matter
it never does
What else can you expect
when you live in a paradise tainted by sin

I lay in a shallow grave
Lost
Tendrils of cold enter into my flesh
grip my bones
Like fingers of death they try to engulf me
steal my soul
I shiver through clenched teeth
but I refuse to move

Stubborn
I stare at the sky and it stares back at me
Heartless
Uncaring
Indifferent to the sufferings of man

I want to cry out to you
shout your name into the heavens
But it's too late
you walked away and I let you go
You were never mine to start with
yet I carried you in my heart

I looked into your eyes
drowned in their mysteries
I tried to save myself
to escape the turbulent sea of emotion
that I had fallen into
But it was too late
your kiss sealed my fate
your touch seared me
left its mark upon my soul

I wait for death
but it refuses to come
Life forces itself upon me
demands my presence

I scream in frustration
as the doorway to heaven
is closed before me
and I am made once again
to enter into the world of the flesh

My heart aches for you
but I know I have to let you go
to survive
The choice is not mine
it was made for me an eon ago
when time stood still
and eternity held its breath
waiting for creation to begin

For now I must carry on
finish the work
that has been laid out before me

I turn and look upon the shallow grave
that had me in the grip of despair
Where death once opened its gapping mouth to me
now life grows in abundance

I smile despite the pain I still feel
for always the will to live
is stronger than the need to die
Still the pain of a broken heart
is not enough to kill me

I know I will go on
No matter what pain
the world throws at me
I know I will survive

Reviews

[chandlerl]

Wow, I can't even pick a stanza I like, I loved the whole thing. And I don't think it's just because I haven't slept tonight. ...this morning. When I read the title, honestly, the song 'I will survive' popped into my head and I was like, 'ugh'. But every word placement, stanza, fits. 'paradise tainted by sin' what a perfect phrase to explain our predicament as life on earth. Life carrying on with or without you, you strongly choosing to go through motions, even if that's all it is. UGH...I LOVED IT! lol...Favorited in my library.

[Carolann Dowsett]

Wow thanks so much that means a lot to me

[SarahV]

Really nice poem! Love the imagery some of the words beautifully put together, like I really like "paradise tainted by sin"! Keep up the good work! :D

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you so much. :)

[Relic]

By the weight of your metaphors and the fact that you've mentioned heaven, death, turbulence and the grave, I can see this poem has a real heavy personal meaning for you.

Its dark descriptions speak of a turmoil that reaches beyond your tolerance level and antagonizes your strength and will. I assume you lost someone very close to you. The fact that you are able to come through it with the resolve to continue on despite such suffering is a testimony to your courage and power for living.

You did a fine job writing this.

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you so much your review means a lot.

[Relic]

Welcome. :)

[Coyote Poetry]

"For now I must carry on
finish the work
that has been laid out before me"
It is funny how dreams change. My dreams are few. Now I'm alive for my children. They need be strong for awhile. The poem open the door to many questions. We must survive. Sometime we must survive for other to know life and chance. Thank you for sharing the excellent poem.
Coyote

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing.

[emmajoy]

Sad and brilliantly laid words, emotions placed in the roaring sun to sizele and simmer, cool, then turn to stone, ever endless. Seems to me - but you are a writer poet - that these feelings are real; that you experienced more than you dared. Will stop because, i feel too much, reading what seems highly personal. Is near tearing me up: ' .. .. it was made for me an eon ago ~ when time stood still ~ and eternity held its breath '

How often time stands in the way, how history breaks a mould that could be so wonderful

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you so much means a lot that you felt it and yes there is reality in this.

[.]

Very emotional. You're very strong I would say. :)

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you.

[.]

You're welcome. :)

[icelandicblue]

If we look hard enough we can find what was always there but never evident. I might think about changing the title a bit because the old song kept running through my head as I read your poem...but that could just be me.

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you

[Daisie Vergara (Dhaye)]

The last stanza...it is powerful. So powerful like the desire to go on in life's journey though thorns are blocking the way.
Seems familiar with some of my works. i know we have some things in common: we are bruised and broken, but trying to stand after our fall.

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you so much.

[Amadi Judith]

This is technically and remarkably a great write.

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you so much.

[Carly]

Interesting.

I looked into your eyes
drowned in their mysteries
I tried to save myself
to escape the turbulent sea of emotion
that I had fallen into
But it was too late
your kiss sealed my fate
your touch seared me
left its mark upon my soul

Great stanza

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you

[Frankie O'Brien]

wow, Broken, upset but has the strenth to move on and not give up. The best :)

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you :)