A Cross To Bear

“A Cross To Bear”

Like salt in wounds, the pain ignites
Infected to the nerve,
Intrusive sunlight, blinding eyes
A hell I don’t deserve.

Useless band-aids morph as pills
False hope to cure real pain
Yet thoughts can be close to immune
To changing patterns, flying sane.

Invisible, this illness grows
The mental torture reigns
The harder that I fight this beast
The tighter squeeze the chains.

These ailments burrow deep within
Depression and much more
No choice of mine, they’re part of me
A lifetime mental war.

However, though, I suffer much
I know life isn’t fair
For each and every one of us
We have a cross to bear.


Written on December 1, 2021
“A Cross To Bear”
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Flynn Avatar
February 11, 2024 at 7:12 AM
Very well written Meghan.......very soulful full of emotion and deep feeling........
Wilde Avatar
February 4, 2024 at 7:29 PM
Powerful expressions I am all too familiar with. Well written!
Thacker Avatar
February 4, 2024 at 11:51 AM
Love it!
Watt Avatar
February 12, 2022 at 12:00 AM
Meghan, this is touching both for the candor of your own struggles, and for the compassion and empathy you show in the last stanza for others who have a cross to bear. I'm sending you a soupmail to explain in a little more detail why this one has impacted me so much. I sing this one to the tune of Amazing Grace and get so much comfort from your honesty and courage to get out of bed each day with the will to overcome the chains that tighten around you from this invisible illness. Absolutely breathtaking poetry on so many levels. I hope others can read this and renew their courage and feel less alone because of your willingness to dig deep and share these poignant thoughts. A fav for me. Blessings ~ John
Hutchings Avatar
February 20, 2022 at 8:55 AM
John, I'm not sure how I missed this response, but thank you does not seem to suffice. Your acknowledgement of the demons myself and so many others with any type of mental illness fight each day is in itself one of the most empathetic and compassionate things anyone can do. Thank you for always digging deep into my poems and finding the main message & complimenting the way I explore and explain it through my poetry. You are an angel on so many levels, & that makes my cross much lighter to carry. God bless and much love...Meghan
Gondolf Avatar
December 20, 2021 at 3:00 AM
We all have a cross to bear though I suppose for some the cross is heavier than others. May all our crosses be lighter in the coming year. Happy holidays, Meghan. John
Hutchings Avatar
December 20, 2021 at 7:52 PM
Thank you, John! I pray so very hard that you're right! I believe we could all use a lighter load this New Year! Happy Holidays, my friend! --Meghan
Mcconnell Avatar
December 18, 2021 at 12:16 PM
Great pen Meghan, really super imagery and insightful thought.So pleased to come across your pen on PS, have a blessed day. Happy Christmas from Scotland, Gordon
Hutchings Avatar
December 19, 2021 at 1:30 PM
Thank you so much, Gordon! You've touched my heart with your beautiful words. I rarely get feedback, so between you and Edward, I truly appreciate your response. I hope you also have a beautiful and blessed Christmas and New Year, new friend. God Bless!
Ibeh Avatar
December 5, 2021 at 7:18 AM
Congratulations on your 2nd-place win in my contest with this fabulous, moving piece, Meghan:-) It packs a wallop!
Hutchings Avatar
December 5, 2021 at 6:22 PM
From the bottom of my heart, thank you! I am always humbled to sit among a podium of winners and impress the sponsor! Through this contest, you allowed me to write about mental illness, something I (and so many others) fight every day, yet most don't know of or see our struggle. Thanks again!
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