A Cross To Bear

"For those who bear stoically the cross put on their shoulders by others, the cross turns into a crown" - by the Poet she still smiled, even when she knew, life looped over her, like a hangman’s noose. she knew she should bear the cross uncomplaining, without divulging to any in the rising cadence of a dirge, imagined it was a melody she heard, in her laughter was the echo, of smothered sighs, shot involuntary, from the corked up bottle of her heart. in a hilarious company, she languished like a cockle in the shell. seemed so calm when a sizzling inferno burnt within! was chocked under the weight of the cross as it hurt deep into her shoulders tears, long held back froze and hardened within her eye pits. now she is a total stranger to herself! on the beach, as the sunset hurled ecstasy across the skies, she only saw the virulent waves lashing on the shore and their tug, inviting. neither cursed nor moaned over her soiled identity; but wondered why only discordant tunes now came out from her flute on which, once her rehearsed lips created such harmonious melody! under her calm demeanor, was veiled craftily the anguish of a life time. yet in pitch darkness, counting the luminous stars, she lay- a seed in wait under furrowed lands for the first summer shower! (An AIDS victim who got it from her husband) Placed First A Brian Strand Verse Libre Poetry Contest Placed First in the poetry contest Nov. 30, 2021 This or That, Vol. 8 Poetry Contest Sponsor – Edward Ibeh Title- A Cross to Bear