Echo Poem: When Pain Seduces Good People

When I'm Alone - Poem by Lora Colon When I'm alone I stare at the sky, Then I reach for the moon with my hand, If I could steal it for just one night, Could I then make Heaven understand? Just as the moon's radiance would be missed If it were to abandon its realm, My ship travels with no guiding light, Too long I've stood alone at the helm When I'm alone I cannot believe There's a God who feels pity for me, Like a ship that's left to navigate In the darkness, I am lost at sea I don't ask for much to call my own, A hand to hold, a comforting word, Does the forest not rejoice to hear The sweet song of just one faithful bird? When I'm alone I find no reason To greet the dawning day with a smile, I see no sense in praying for strength To carry my cross another mile If it's a sin to forsake all faith In a caring God, then cast your stone, No pain or punishment could be worse Than the pain I feel when I'm alone Lora Colon You Speak and I Listen You speak and I listen: Here’s message from bird, (1) A song that might please you, A hint you’ve been heard. We want to assure you That you're not alone, But dressing like bird suits Your camouflaged moan. You say no one hears you But whole forest dreams At call of a blind bird, Leaves drop into streams: There’s torrential flooding Of red, brown, and gold, Whenever you tremble, Whenever you're cold. For forests have tears too Though you cannot see, All nature is brimming With God’s sympathy. The scraps that you live on That keep you alive, Are pointers to largesse Whereby you might thrive. There’s warmth in a stranger For those in real need You doubt? Try out my yard, There’s lots of bird seed. But let me remind you In case you forgot A bird has real freedom That’s not afterthought. Your parents are blameless Child saw them as God, Forgiveness the answer To self-imposed fraud. Brian Johnston May 31, 2016 Poet’s Notes: (1) In the last year Lora rescued a baby catbird and fed and protected it until it was ready to leave home. I think I have channeled the catbird’s voice very well in this Echo Poem...