Cry My Soul

For love is the beauty of the soul.

Cry my soul into drops of rain

where the hopeless and lonely weep

that I might wash away their pain

and the demons that steal their sleep.

Cry my soul into crimson mud

into the haunted battlefield

to atone for all the spilled blood

and the harvests that lost their yield.

 

Cry my soul that it cries for thee

to douse the flaming fires of hell

to catch a soul and set it free

with neither smiles nor joy to sell.

Cry my soul into deepest blue

into the lamplight of your eyes

that I might drink to me from you

the one true love that magnifies.

 

Cry my soul into endless bliss

into the luscious lap of spring

into sways of a sweetheart’s kiss

that make the heart happily sing.

Cry my soul for the world I know,

for the letters of no return

whose words were lost like melted snow

or ashes from an empty urn.

 

Cry my soul into feathered wing

drifting long like a sighing sigh

into the air and everything

falling freely and flying high.

Cry my soul into passion’s pond

into breezes and evensong

into the sky and far beyond

into the arms that I belong.

 

Cry my soul into poetry

into the ink of weathered vein

into the world for all to see

until I cry once more again.

Cry my soul endless days and nights

'til eyes flutter and gently close

‘til I reach those heavenly heights

and gardens of mystical rose.

Author's Note

Reviews

[E.P. Robles]

As a poet, I would analyze this poem as a heartfelt expression of the poet's emotions, longing, and desire for connection and meaning in the world. The poem explores various themes such as pain, loss, love, redemption, and the transformative power of poetry.

The opening lines, "Cry my soul into drops of rain, where the hopeless and lonely weep, that I might wash away their pain and the demons that steal their sleep," convey a deep sense of empathy and compassion. The poet wishes to alleviate the suffering of others and bring solace to those who are burdened by their troubles.

The second stanza continues this theme, as the poet implores their soul to cry into "crimson mud" and the "haunted battlefield" to atone for the bloodshed and the lost harvests. Here, the poet expresses a sense of responsibility and the desire to rectify the consequences of violence and destruction.

In the subsequent stanzas, the poem takes a more personal and intimate turn. The poet's soul cries for a beloved, seeking to extinguish the fires of hell and liberate their soul. The imagery of "deepest blue" and "lamplight of your eyes" suggests a yearning for a profound connection and love that transcends superficiality.

The fourth stanza reflects on the transient nature of life and the irretrievable loss of certain experiences. The poet's soul cries for the world they know, for the letters that can never be returned, and the ephemeral nature of existence captured through the imagery of "melted snow" and "ashes from an empty urn."

The following stanzas emphasize the poet's longing for freedom and transcendence. The soul cries into "feathered wing" and "passion's pond," symbolizing a desire to break free from limitations and immerse oneself in the beauty and joy of existence. The image of crying into "poetry" and the "ink of weathered vein" suggests the poet's identification with the transformative power of language and self-expression.

The final stanza conveys a sense of surrender and acceptance. The soul cries endlessly until the poet reaches heavenly heights and the gardens of mystical rose, implying a longing for transcendence and union with something greater than oneself.

From a Carl Jung perspective, this poem touches upon several archetypal themes and symbols. The soul's cry represents a yearning for individuation and the integration of the shadow self, as it seeks to confront and heal the pain, suffering, and demons both within oneself and in the world.

The references to rain, blood, and tears can be seen as symbolic of emotional purification and catharsis. The poet's longing for connection, love, and freedom reflects the human need for wholeness and the search for the anima/animus, the feminine or masculine aspect within the individual.

The recurring motif of crying into different elements, such as rain, mud, wings, and poetry, suggests a transformative process of self-discovery and creative expression. Jungian psychology emphasizes the importance of embracing and integrating the unconscious aspects of the psyche, which are often symbolized by elements of nature or artistic endeavors.

Overall, this poem, when analyzed as an astute poet and through a Carl Jung lens, reveals a profound exploration of human emotions, the search for meaning, and the transformative power of self-expression and connection with others.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, E. P. Robles. You spent an immense amount of time analyzing this poem, and your review if reflective of that. I feel like I owe you for your analysis, as if I were in therapy. I have always viewed poetry as "therapeutic purification" so was pleased with your review. Poetry was the only "one" that I could ever turn to from a very young age, and it has served me well. I can't thank you enough for your review. It means so much to me.

[E.P. Robles]

Oh, noble soul, adorned with words divine,
I hear your gratitude like whispers in rhyme.
read moreOh, noble soul, adorned with words divine,
I hear your gratitude like whispers in rhyme.
Your poetic spirit, a beacon of light,
Guiding me through the depths of the night.
I thoroughly enjoyed your prose!

[willweb]

There is a meandering ache to this piece, a soft sorrow that finds itself standing beneath a cloud covered day hoping for the sun. Your poems to me are epic creations that come directly from your heart and your soul. Your words always caress the reader and your themes find many who will relate and find comfort with the poem. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with all of us.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Happy Monday, dear friend. It's so nice to see you again, and thank you for your enduring kindness and support.

[Coyote Poetry]

Dear Linda. The poem is written with skill. The movement of thoughts allowed the reader to feel and grasp the words.
"Cry my soul endless days and nights
'til eyes flutter and gently close
‘til I reach those heavenly heights
and gardens of mystical rose."
The above lines. A wonderful ending. We hope, we can find a better place dear friend. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you so much, Coyote. It's always a pleasure to see you.

[The Unknown Sith]

This is a very nice poem and written well.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you for the visit. I appreciate you.

[FGFRANKLIN]

"Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone;
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own." Ella Wheeler Wilcox

I guess I'll keep laughing through the pain and smiling through the tears until there is no more pain and no tears left to cry. I guess the poet may be forced to lift the voice of warning or shake the finger of satire now and then though. This was an enjoyable read. I wasn't going to rate this but when I saw how someone had trashed it in the ratings I went back and rated it at 100%. Why do people scorn beauty with bitterness other than jealousy? Your poem is lovely.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Fabian. When someone feels the need to undermine another's work, it's the sign of a small-minded person. They can't compete. They are incomplete.

[FGFRANKLIN]

That's sad. It's like someone vandalizing your property because they don't have anything as nice. It doesn't matter to them how hard you had to work for whatever you've earned. So many bitter people in the world.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Yes, it is sad indeed. I'm sure it made them feel somewhat powerful in the moment. Keyboard warriors. :)

[Chris Shaw]

This is a true lament Linda and the sadness conveyed to the reader is fathoms deep. Such a remarkable piece of poetry. Well done.

Chris

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Chris.

[Neville]

what an absolute delight .. I am so glad I came by today tis truly something a bit special my friend .. N

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Neville. I always love your visits.

[Neville]

and believe me, I like making them ..

[Anastasia]

The soul cries in many places for many things happy and sad and so deep the words. Gorgeous poem.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Anastasia.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

I see that you are new. Welcome to the Cafe. I hope you post some work so that we can read and review you.

[Andra Dare]

What a gorgeous, passionate poem. Pure, visceral and ethereal at once. Inspired. Thank you.

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Thank you, Andra. I really appreciate the review. Thank you for visiting.