WOEFUL WALTZ

As a small child I loved music and would listen closely to the songs my parents were listening to on the radio or records. But, I never realized until recently how some of the songs, coupled with the abuse I suffered, warped my view of life and love.

 

 

WOEFUL WALTZ

Woe, a song I heard when I was young
Keeps running o'er and o'er in my head
Thus I donned my cap of reflection
Musing, following where my thoughts led

'The Tennessee Waltz' thus grieved my heart
At times my eyes were streaming with tears
Looking back, with wisdom, I now find
Woe filled lyrics created my fears

The lady sang of her lost sweetheart
How her friend stole his love at a dance
  Those songs of such double betrayal
Taught never give love nor friends a chance

Not wanting to suffer such heartache
All others I held firm at arm's length
Built walls so high, none could get by
I used boulders and mortar of strength

My fortress became a cold prison
For love's warmth dared not venture inside
My lonesome heart started to wither
'Til rivers of unspent tears, I cried

Salty waters flooded my dungeon
Cracked the mortar so my soul could see
Brighter rays of hope and warm sunshine
Weeping...pleading...I yearned to be free

 At last, all my cold walls just crumbled

Now a much softer heart I expose

No fear of hurts this life may give me
To give love is the option I chose

Now, I see love as treasure given
No one can steal nor lead it astray
Allowed to flow free, inclusively
It could barely be driven away

(c)Ellen Hammond

Reviews

[Mark]

How glorious, that she succeeded in seeing her anger and pain for the self-imposed imprisonment they were, and took steps to vanquish them. I particularly liked the three lines where the tide turned: "My fortress became a cold prison...Salty waters flooded my dungeon...At last my cold walls just crumbled!" Might I suggest a slight grammatical tweak? Twice, in St. II and III, you used the singular verb 'Twas (It was)with compound objects, Times, and Songs. If you wish to retain the Elizabethan contractions, may I suggest T'were (they were), or Wert; personally, I feel AT (times) and THOSE (songs) would do as well or better.

[Samuel Dickens]

I remember hearing that song on juke boxes and radio. What they used to call a "tear-jerker" I think. Funny how we were shaped by such things. At any rate, I'm glad you escaped its negative influence.

[Anita B Jacques]

Yes my friend, from the mind and eyes of a child, the picture is distorted and so different from an adult. I remember I was at a movie theater with my Mom, I was very young, the movie was about Saint Vincent de Paul, the scene a remember the most was about a crude hospital, a ward full of very sick people, I was terrified. I had the chance to see the movie again as a grownup, so different was my reaction. I made many changes to my poem "First Memories", I removed much of the pain from it, now it's generic. I don't know why.Thank you my friend for sharing.God Bless you.
In friendship
Annie

[Sheila Kline]

Dearest Ellen!
This is absolutely exquisite, and so beautifully but sadly reveals the whys of how we can put up those walls the keep others at "arms length"........as you know, I have done much the same, and have found that with the removal of them, and the ability to allow the love of Jesus Christ to heal the past hurts is what brings healing and peace unto our spirit!
I am so glad you have shared this, and pray that many will read it!
With love, blessings and friendship,
Sheila