On Dealing With Desperation

Dedicated to a distant friend, who is treading that most difficult of verges with grace and determination...

Hope is the cure for all woe,
Though Life is the cure for all hope;
Why aren't we permitted to know
And compelled to forth blindly grope?

When ten thousand Presents have passed,
And our Nows have receded astern,
Might we then know how to stand fast,
And teach others what we dared not learn?

Then stiff-lipped we slog forth; we MUST
Though our orders are hidden away--
For the Lord's will, though obscure, IS just;
And our purpose will be known some day!

Mark Teague
November 10, 2013

Author's Note

Two great friends, one of whom I've met only through these pages, are going through some godawful trials, of the sort that never seem to abate. May these few humble words offer what slight consolation they may...

Reviews

[bob, small b. aka invs]

these words really hit close to home. like an old hymn that i wish i still believed in.

[Mark]

Old hymns have the most annoying habit of insinuating themselves into your memory (and life) when least anticipated, but most needed. Belief may enhance that tendency, but lack of belief will not preclude it...

[TL Boehm]

Amen. This reminds me of grace being sufficient. Sometimes we are in the crosshairs not because of ourselves but just because - and that's when it gets so difficult to keep slogging - this is a gentle reminder to do just that- keep moving forward.

[Mark]

Thanks, Tammi--That's just what I intended to say, and I am not in the least bit surprised that you perceived it right to the heart!

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Life is full of windstorms and rain. Some are strong enough to propel us into the maelstrom, while the rain can beat us until we are so wilted as to never rise again. I take my cue from the lotus, rising from the mud at the breaking of day, to go forth and try again. That's all that we can ask of ourselves; and from my experience, I think that we are all stronger than we give ourselves credit for. It's those trial and tribulations that test that strength, while at the same time proving it.

Thank you for your kind heart, your thoughtfulness, and well wishes.

They are like a warm summer breeze lifting my wings.

[Lourisa]

Mark, dear friend, thank you. A gifted man with words you are. Life indeed is the cure for all hope. Yet, there is still that small flickering of hope, absurd and impossible as it seems given the way I feel most moments, but it's there. I know no Lord, Mark, but your poem almost made me wish I do. Thanks for this exquisite poem and words of comfort. A gift I will always treasure.

[Mark]

Thanks, Louisa. These words mean more to me than you can imagine. I still don't know where the poem you referred to in your FB post is, but the face that I was in youe heart as you composed it is deeply touching. If you find it, please hook me up--FYI, I've written several nice poems while in Review mode as well, among them, "Oasis" and "The Ravin'" (which I'm currently expanding upon.)