One less Tear



In the valley of illness every stone bruises
as it presses into another unchanged hour
of breath bleeding closer to the tomb.

Have you ever watched your child suffer? I am.
Desperation collects its hand maids to birth despair,
tries to force me into the clotted womb of hopeless.

These are the times I must fly with broken wings,
fight melancholy’s gravity by on less tear,
and seek light in the coal night of uncertain.

My eyes must show tomorrow there will be sun
so the midnight of my child will know morning will come,
mortar my helpless into trust the sky won’t fall.

It is true. One never knows how strong the spirit can be
until there is no other option, no other view but hope,
no other words but... Don’t Give Up.

©Susie Clevenger 2018

Dawn has just fought one of the hardest health battles of her life. She had an intestinal infection that resulted in kidney and heart failure. She is getting better, but in the days ahead there will be more medical tests and procedures. It is her wrist that is in the photo I used. 

Comments

Anonymous said…
Thoughts, light, love, hope and prayers for you, your beautiful daughter, and your family Susie.

To watch, to witness, to be strong in such a delicate situation, fraught with so much stress and anxiety, is no small feat. And to find the words, to share this experience, in this most incredibly heartfelt, and beautiful poem, is testament to your love and resolve ~ to be both strength, and vulnerably human. And the 4th stanza - is such a poetic summation of this entire piece - a window into the world/situation you are living - I'm amazed how you have managed to write so deeply, with such shining brilliance.

And yes, this poem is apropos of all the insanity in the world, and how children, no matter their age, or where they are, are always some mother's child.

Finally, the image? It too is exceedingly powerful. Such a striking visual.

Once again, my thoughts and light to you and your daughter and family.
kaykuala said…
One never knows how strong
the spirit can be until there
is no other option but hope

Sometimes choices can be so limited that one is stressed out

Hank
tonispencer said…
My prayers are lifted up for you and your family and especially Dawn. You have her a prophetic name: hope in the coming day. When I was being treated for cancer I remember my mother being so hurt and angry that I had been stricken. I had to be strong for her. I imagine Dawn does the same for you.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Susie, there is nothing harder. So much fear and worry, yet having to be strong for her. This does sound like the hardest battle of her life. Thank God she pulled through. I pray she grows stronger in the weeks ahead. Thinking of you all. Your poem is very beautiful.
Jim said…
Oh Susie, we've been missing you her lately, thanks for the appearance. Though the news is bad you're climbing out of the woods (they say that) and I hope and pray things continue to get better and better. It must be tough on a child, I know it is tough on you guys. The lines, "My eyes must show tomorrow there will be sun
so the midnight of my child will know morning will come" say that you are.
..
Sanaa Rizvi said…
Oh Susie this poem is heart-wrenchingly beautiful! Sending love and continous prayers for Dawn.
Kerry O'Connor said…
The very first stanza just took my breath away.. this was difficult to read but rewarding too, on so many levels. A mother's pain and fortitude has never been so touchingly rendered.
kaykuala said…
I must fly with broken wings,
fight melancholy’s gravity by on less tear,
and seek light in the coal night of uncertain

The will to plod on and be realistic rather than emotional can make one a stronger person!

Hank
Marian said…
Susie, I've been seeing and feeling your posts on FB about Dawn's most recent journey and have not been able to respond adequately... I just haven't been able to raise myself up for anything. I'm sending love always. She is so strong, and you are, all of you are. Your family is so inspiring. I feel really blessed to know you and have a peek at the love that circles round and through and ties you all together.

Have you ever watched your child suffer? That is the question we should all be struggling with right now. Why are we making other people's children suffer? No one wants children to suffer. Or maybe I am wrong about that, as it's increasingly apparent that harming children is fine with many people. Dark times, dark.

I was going to ask if that is Dawn's tattoo and bracelets. Beautiful! I've never really wanted tattoos for myself, but that one I really admire. For its message and honestly just because it looks really great!
annell4 said…
Yes, you write of the saddest time for a Mother, the illness of your child. I am so glad she is getting better, it doesn't always happen that way. I remember the saddest day of my life, it was a Sunday, in the hospital, they said they could do no more....though hard, I loved your poem.