This Soul

Walking through these times and discovering the soul's intrinsic strength to hold it all.

I will never understand how I can hold
All the input in one mind
And not barricade myself in a solitary empty room.
So much happening in and outside,
No escape really from this humanity
I chose to be and walk among.
When I dropped down from heaven,
Did I fall or jump willingly,
One plane to the next?
Was it a gliding, graceful landing,
Or a plummet out of control?
Still, here I stand,
Swaying, weaving in and out
of casualties and majesty,
Living in watery feelings and precision logic,
Spending every ounce of presence, every moment,
To soak up life as it is.
Sometimes I believe I cannot withstand
Another moment of wakefulness or reflective dreams.
I think I may fall catatonic
Into such a state of paralysis,
This life will cease.
But this is just a dream also,
Humanity asserting itself just to be known,
Witnessed,
Felt.
The light in this soul,
However tiny it seems,
Never dims or dies.
Does not quake in fear at these times,
Or what this heart bears.
Does not stoop under the heaviest of burdens.
This soul,
Steady, strong, sure
Fuels another step when I am lame,
Holds the lantern when I am lost,
Rocks me gently to sleep when, in grieving,
I cannot take another breath.
This soul
Lives life on its own terms
Beyond lessons and mortality.
Flies gently to the stars and back
Brings fairy dust,
Sprinkles hope on earth
And loves on.

Reviews

[Teddybearlee]

This...is...amazing. I absolutely adore this writing. Hold on, I have to read it again! Ok, still wowing me, you sum up the immensity of a weight we carry, and how we keep moving, so flawlessly. It may not be exactly a love poem, or a tragic poem, but it still brings out such emotion, the strength we harbor within ourselves that you can't really measure. I'm smiling still after reading this, and that in itself, is not so common these days. Thank you for sharing such beautiful work.

[Marianne Rose]

Thanks so much for your reading this- and twice! Your comments make the risk of putting this stuff out there worth it. You got it! It feels great to be heard and known, inside out.

[Teddybearlee]

I truly know the feeling. Being someone that fears rejection, or is slightly sensitive (ok, a little more than slightly), I was nervous when I first joined this site about a month ago, but I really wanted somewhere to post my writings, stumbling across this site was pretty much a gift (so far!). Most people on here seem very mature, no matter their age, and respectable to writings even if it's not their cup of tea. I have read this more than twice now, and even linked it on my facebook, stating "I have read lots of writings that just put me to shame, but so far, this one takes the cake. I consider this a masterpiece, this author really amazed me with her writing." I look forward to more of your writings, you are wonderful at expressing yourself.

[Marianne Rose]

Thank you so much- and for also posting it! I joined the site this week- still getting used to how to use it in fact. I was leading a student circle, using writing to express values, and because I was facilitating, I didn't write, just holding the space. They asked me what I had written- and I happened to have my notebook with me, so I thought, what have I got to lose? And shared this poem. They all responded so well, it catalyzed a shift in me from being a secret writer to looking for a place where more people could read. I think my writing is meant to be read out loud, so I guess that's what I look for next. The writers here have all been very kind and accepting- just what I needed to keep posting. Thanks for the connection and for taking this poem in.

[Monica Chen]

Wow, I love the shift in tones in this poem :D keep up the good work!

[Marianne Rose]

Thanks for reading it, and for your comment about the tones- so many different emotions we feel creating different tones of voice . . .