The Well.

 

Sitting here alone, looking back on life

 

not much happiness there, just a lot of strife.

I wonder if it’s worth it, to go on and on living

 

everyone is taking but nobody is giving

 

and I feel like the water well, all dusty and dry,

 

without a raindrop in it and I breathe in with a sigh.

 

 

It’s the story of my life, beginning with my wedding.

 

I have loved, honoured and obeyed and always did his bidding,

 

but as our family grew my needs were  long forgotten,

 

everybody else's met, but mine lost at the bottom        

 of the well, all dusty and dry

 

without a raindrop in it and I break down and cry.

 

Now I’ve reached my Autumn years new freedom I have found

 

to be the person I’ve longed to be, by no rules to be bound.

 

I can spend my days doing, anything I want

 

and never have to listen to someone telling me I can’t,

 

and I feel like the water well full to overflowing, no longer dusty and dry

 

but rich in water plenty and powerful like a hurricane a blowing

 

away all the teardrops in my eye!

Author's Note

This is not a personal poem, it is written from observation of a couple whom I know...

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

It's actually true of a lot of us. Many look back on their lives with regret, and dwell upon how societal mores limited them. It's understandable, but it's also not productive. The best thing we can do for ourselves is cut the past loose and live open to the moment.

[Marie]

I agree dear J. B... Thank you for so kindly taking the time to read and comment, dear friend...

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

it is quite an intense drama about the sacrifices wives and mothers make and it was quite heart-wrenching. then, i was relived that it ended with a happy twist. the way the well was weaved into the poem as a metaphor for the persona's happiness worked very well. and i'm glad it is full now. but let this be a morality tale to be more grateful to mothers and to generally be more attentive to those around us.

[Marie]

Dear Ern M, thank you so very much for reading this poem and for your very kind and wise words. I am most grateful, dear poet...

[Jeyanthi]

These lines runs so deep... one who have inclined into observation and bring out as a poetry makes the stoppers to watch by..
The well water is always considered as " living water", it gives life at any moment, everyone and everything depends on it... the underground keeps coming off, it can be established only at a particular place.... life compared to well water is excellent... when our duties of our life all fulfilled we do get a meaning but losing our ourselves in the process resonates sad and longing... just like storm , something gives realization and turns out the society beliefs...
In older days, life is not always sit back enjoy but also do something for oneself which can also be contributing in some ways... thank you for sharing this...
This does blows us in a good way..
(We have one movie in our country, it is 3idots based on book story, about engineering college life... in that movie it has been quoted "all is well" " all is well"...)

[Marie]

Thank you so very much dear Jeyanthi for so kindly reading and for your very insightful review of this poem. I am most grateful to you. Bless you always, dear friend...

[Aarti Sriram]

You have used well as a simile so well!!! Comparing past life to a dry dusty well and the present life to a bountiful and pregnant well with water as powerful as a hurricane. The past is sad Marie, but the poem reflects positively with a content present and not ruining it ruminating over the past and becoming resentful. Should there always be one strong shoulder on whom steps the family for support and to progress ahead, can there be a family inclusive progress structure albeit a slow paced one. How the needs of the giver gets forgotten or long awaited. There is autumn and freedom but they dote on satisfaction that life was well honoured and family needs taken care inspite of heavy setbacks of personal needs and aspirations. Sacrifice in the youth for a sweeter retired age hassn’t that always been the heroic way or mostly heroine-ic way 😊! In response to your reflection on family and progress you have asked some very deep rhetoric questions and on collective growth vs individual sacrifice dear Marie. You keep giving jewels of poem one after the other from your kitty my dear.

[Marie]

The best thing about the hurt of the past is that we have the power to erase that hurt through forgiveness, dear Aarti and then, to move on from it. Gratitude for reading and so kindly taking the time to review. THANK YOU! dear Aarti for both your time and your lovely, gentle and kind energy...

[Katarzyna Slade]

Like how it ended up happier. very good

[Marie]

Thank you for reading Katarzyna and for your kind words...

[Vol]

Few there are indeed who were born and grew to be all they were meant to be. How many Mozarts have we missed? DaVinci's? all the genius humanity has denied itself by missing out on what we could have been...

[Marie]

Thank you for kindly reading and for your kind words, Vol...

[Soren]

Marie, this is a poem that touches the heart. It brings a tear to the eye and yet ends in a joyful note. I hope you’re well stay full. A very nice write

[Marie]

Thank you so very much for kindly reading and for your so kind comment, Soren. I am indebted to you always. I am well and hope you are well too. Only online for a short while each evening, but today I've been able to stay for quite a long time and catch up. Have missed your wonderful poems! Wishing you a very nice evening, my friend...

[red93]

Very interesting Work Marie, and I am sure your observances are accurate. So good that the subject of this Piece has freed themselves. Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Marie]

Thank you for reading, dear poet. Yes, one of the couple passed away, sadly. Thank you again...