white room

that moment, when you think
enough is enough, you let it pass
across the room to the window
you are offered, silence,
you hold on to it, like a child
holds her mother, you just cry
you just sleep, but this time,
you know the permanence of people,
you are kind, you wish to die,
not by his hands, he is blameless
you let things hang, between
night and day, within reason,
at night, you bury your dead,
you pick flowers, note the hours
in the day, to keep moments
like this away, you are an old woman,
on her deathbed, who can't blame
anyone for her sorrow, who haunts
churches, who needs prayers,
for whom i light all these candles

Reviews

[SmittyJas]

Born and the time is ticking away not knowing when or where our time has come Be joyful and multiply fill the earth was the command of our Lord count each day as a blessing from God above sent with his love.

[highonwords]

thank you, jim, for the visit

steph

[Mélania Woolf]

The suffering of this old woman speaks to me. It feels like she's always made the wrong choice of hiding, sleeping her living nightmares away instead of fighting them. A Vey well-written piece, Steph! I am especially loving the last part.

Mel

[highonwords]

i hope you are not suffering the same plight with this woman, mel, as i don't wish suffering like this on anyone - this poor woman lived a dreary life, torn around the edges and suffering a heart collapse - thank you, mel, for the visit and review

steph

[MsJewel]

Powerful words and emotion in this well written poem. I really like the last few lines - the perfect ending. Amazing poetry!

Julie

[highonwords]

took me a while to think about an ending, that feels 'right' - thank you so much, julie, for the review and visit

my best,
steph

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i feel this woman and the white room idea...is someone who lives for so long with abuse that she treasures her own moments away from him...and then on her deathbed cannot blame anyone but herself for staying there...

and we do say prayers and light candles....even early on that she will get wise and leave.

[highonwords]

your in-depth interpretation is right on point -you really never miss anything, jacob - thank you so much for the review and the visit

my best,
steph

[Lydia Shutter]

There is always a window through which the light can shine in....we just have to find it. Your words are powerful in this one, Steph. I liked the description of the old woman. It's true, we can not blame anyone but ourselves for the way life turns out....it is a matter of choices made. Well written. Lydi*

[highonwords]

this is a picture of an old woman, who has been through a lot in her life - she remains invisible with dogged persistence, tries to live day by day - patience and a lot of stupidity as well for not standing up for herself - thank you, ma'am for the insightful review - love your visits

always,
steph