Bitter & Sweet

On Susan Boyle of Blackburn, West Lothian, Edinburgh

Embittered from life and its rapacious round,
with naught but sour grapes in their vineyards to show,
blind to their faults, in ignorance blissfully bound,
their hearts were like stones that were meant to throw.

They laughed at her garment and her matronly air,
the rim of her waist bordered in ribbon of gold,
the bush of each brow and her thinning strands of hair -
the lady from Blackburn, forty-seven years old.

But she curved their minds around the street of her song
and rolled the stones of their hearts, she rolled them away
till the clouds of cynicism and fortune's wrong
were broken to bits and disappeared where they lay.

Straight up to the heavens, the Scottish songbird flew,
singing as sweet as an angel and still more sweet;
and she touched each heart until it beat sweetly too,
until those who ridiculed her rose to their feet.

She sang of a dream and set their fetters free.
Their eyes were opened like blossoms before the sun;
and in that moment, where scornfulness strived to be,
it lay at her feet silenced, for, Susan had won.

And the span of a second can last forever
if the seeds are planted and given room to grow.
For every dream we dream, we must endeavor
to be a voice that rises above the shadow.

Let this be a lesson to all who share their dreams
that love can move mountains of the stony-hearted;
and skin-deep beauty is never what it seems
and means even less when once this life we've parted.

Author's Note

If you haven't seen the video, please make it the highlight of your day and watch it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg&feature=related

Reviews

[JustWantLove]

You are profoundly correct and more; A succulent and passionate burst of humble persuasion, reaching deeply to any and all readers, confronting egos and adjusting attitudes, lifting our virtues highly, reaching for them at every step of the way in life. Let our selfishness decease! Let our hypocrisy fade, let our hearts burst with gladness and inspiration, let our dreams in reality be made!

For reciting wonders and touching hearts, you are, a priceless gem!

[Drifter]

To say that this poem is beautiful is to speak a gross understatement. Still, sometimes it is better to understate than to not say at all. Excellent message and exquisitely crafted. I have seen the video of Ms. Boyle and was shocked by her sheer talent. Again, impressive poem.

D.

[Pax Analog]

Fine read and a fine fine true life story re not judging a book by its cover. I had been intrigued by this story, and finally gave Susan Boyle a YouTube look and listen. Seeing the looks of stunned disbelief from the judges (particularly the famously acidic Simon Cowell) and audience as she began to sing was as priceless as her clear, inspiring, unpretentious voice.

Your strong poem commemorating the occasion ought to be part of Ms. Boyle's press kit, and if I were you, I'd submit it to her, on general principle.

"And the span of a second can last forever/if the seeds are planted and given room to grow./For every dream we dream, we must endeavor/to be a voice that rises above the shadow."

Excellent heart message all 'round. Thank you.