From Mourning to Joy

Unfulfilled Dreams © Ella Wilson



Too long I have dressed
in mourning clothes
reciting unfulfilled dreams.

My lips must stop
speaking of the wounds
my heart bears.

Each painful repetition
only applies its needle
to anesthetize hope.

I shall close the hymn book
on my sorrow and free
my spirit to sing joy’s refrain.



©Susie Clevenger 2012

Ella Wilson graciously
 provided her beautiful artistic images
for us to use as inspiration for our written work.



Comments

Lolamouse said…
This is wonderful! I especially love the third stanza.
Anonymous said…
Beautiful Suzy. Sometimes closing the book is what it takes to move on.
Ella said…
Susie,
I love your view here~ This photo has such a haunting feel and your imagery guided us to begin again~
Wonderful! There is always hope~
Kerry O'Connor said…
Ooooh! I love how you saw the mourning clothes in this image and the binding of an old hymn book. This speaks to many instances of sorrow and depression I think, with good advice at the end.
Helen said…
Reading your poem gave me a sense of soaring .............
Susan said…
"I shall close the hymn book
on my sorrow . . . "

Reading a different book, wearing different clothes, and speaking of other things allows sorrow the time it needs to mellow into a presence that is no longer an impediment to joy. While dusting, I touch the hymn book behind the picture fondly and move on.
Laurie Kolp said…
I love the promise of hope at the end... shedding mourning clothes is great.
Geraldine said…
Totally inspiring and uplifting!
Grace said…
Lovely thoughts...and I hope you sing in joyful refrain ~

Happy day to you ~
I just love this! Closing that book can certainly be difficult but oh so necessary. Nicely done!