A Cross To Bear

I donned a cloak of sadness, too heavy to bear.
My frowns, deeply etched from doleful despair.
Then he came into my life;  blue eyes smiling,
like lambent skies after a storm, so beguiling.

He offered to help ease my emotional pain,
"Let me cradle you in my arms," was his refrain.
Tender whispers of love, this man possessed, 
but his romantic notions were a quixotic quest.

His burdens were so much heavier than my own,
for his irascible demons made me sob and groan.
They ignited like hot coals, tearing me apart,
a cauldron of flames, charring my wounded heart.

They were an albatross slung around my neck,
Specters who turned my life into a tangled wreck.
I tried constructing a citadel to shut them out,
but they breached my walls by another route.

His cross to bear, but on my soul they were born.
In darkness, I trod; suffering, but not fully worn.
My aspirations of hope were drowning in sorrow.
I kept promising myself, "I will leave tomorrow."

Finally, I realized it was only myself I could save.
Armed with a prayer, determination and a stave,
I chose to walk away from love that went askew.
Trembling, I fled. There was nothing more to do.


November 26, 2021
This or That, Vol 8 Contest
hosted by Edward Ibeh

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 12/6/2021 9:19:00 PM
I can feel the heaviness of the relationship so beautifully told. Glad you, he or she, got out!
Login to Reply
Date: 12/5/2021 6:59:00 AM
Congratulations on your top win in my contest with this sublime piece, Lin:-) This is fave for me. Welcome back!
Login to Reply
Lane Avatar
Lin Lane
Date: 12/5/2021 9:29:00 AM
Thanks so very much for the honor of being recognized in your contest, Edward. Also, for the fave and welcome. They're all greatly appreciated~
Date: 11/28/2021 1:47:00 PM
So glad you're back Lin, I know this write is painful but talking things through, putting them down on paper eases the pain somewhat, congrats on ten years of happier times!
Login to Reply
Lane Avatar
Lin Lane
Date: 11/29/2021 3:53:00 AM
Hi John D! Thank you for visiting my poems. It's great to see you, and if you're still posting, I'll read you. It's always painful to relive those tragic days, but also cathartic. I am happily content with my families...blood and spiritual.
Date: 11/27/2021 10:12:00 AM
Aye, its heads or tails, and tales wear out!
Login to Reply
Lane Avatar
Lin Lane
Date: 11/29/2021 3:51:00 AM
If only such a poem was just a tale. Thanks for commenting, Rico.
Date: 11/26/2021 4:49:00 PM
You have masterfully penned a powerful poem Lin. I can literally feel your pain, :(
Login to Reply
Lane Avatar
Lin Lane
Date: 11/27/2021 4:36:00 AM
That's the ultimate compliment, Mark. Thank you.
Date: 11/26/2021 3:31:00 PM
Oh Lin, what a sad situation it must be so difficult to walk away but you have to do it for your own sanity and safety but the emotional scars will always remain, hugs Jan xx
Login to Reply
Lane Avatar
Lin Lane
Date: 11/26/2021 3:39:00 PM
It was torture and for months I agonized about it being the right decision, but he’s still fighting his demons so it was. You know the story, Jan. Thanks for the comments.
Date: 11/26/2021 3:13:00 PM
Oh Lin how sad and difficult that must have been for you. Hope you are doing ok now. Enjoyed your poem a great deal. Debx
Login to Reply
Lane Avatar
Lin Lane
Date: 11/26/2021 3:37:00 PM
It was the hardest decision I ever had to make, but ten years have past and I’m ok. Thanks for your concern, Deb.
Date: 11/26/2021 2:13:00 PM
It must have been a nightmare for you Lin, thank God you were able to walk away. But you're right, it's a cross to bear and the scars take a long time to heal. Tom
Login to Reply
Lane Avatar
Lin Lane
Date: 11/26/2021 2:17:00 PM
There will always be scars, Tom, but I had to leave. I was losing myself. Thank you so much for your insight.
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter