Home » Poems » Sara Etgen-Baker » Abecedarian-Betwixt Birth and Death

Sara Etgen-Baker | + Follow Poet |

Abecedarian-Betwixt Birth and Death

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Sara Etgen-Baker.

(Image courtesy of interest.co.nz)

Aging woman stands on the precipice betwixt birth and death reflecting upon her life. Bereft she sometimes feels when reflecting upon her life. Crying, she succumbs to silent tears, her accumulated ocean of brine trickling down. Dreams, her nascent moons, shine bright in midnight sky between dusk and dawn. Eye lines on her face tell of a life filled with joy, sorrow, love, compassion, and pain. Fiery ledge on which she stands, she hears winter's soul as a redemptive season song. Gratitude feels her heart for the life and soul the Creator gave her. Hope wells up inside her as she recognizes it is the anchor of her weary soul. Illusionary world with its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams is of no interest to her. Jam-packed her life has been, a mixed bag filled with kismet and misfortune alike. Kaleidoscopic memories, good and bad intermingle; she keeps them all in her heart. Loud and aggressive persons she avoids, for they are vexatious to her spirit. Mellifluous and meaningful stories and poems she strives to write. Numinous and spiritual experiences she seeks. Obesity was her affliction; food was once her addiction. Placidly she goes about her days growing wiser with each passing day. Querist she is, seeking quality of life rather than mediocrity. Reflections of her life come like a mirrored pond on a spring day. Strength of spirit she nurtures, shielding herself when sudden misfortunes come. Transcendent spheres she ponders, “Do they do exist?” Uppermost in her mind is her unconditional, undying love for her husband. Verdurous life she seeks with dazzling days. Wrinkles on her face are wrinkles over her soul, that part of her that’s not aged a day. Xeric she once was, having once wandered about the barren, dry desert of her life. Yearning still runs deep, for she was and still is a sojourner. Zealously she lives life, on the precipice betwix birth and death.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Valsa George

Date: 12/13/2023 9:47:00 PM

Wow.... what a beautiful Abecedarian! I miss so many gems on Poetry Soup in my hurry to cope with my many household engagements. This sincere and heartfelt espousal of your life and visions, your commitments and goals from cradle to grave, I enjoyed so much. "Uppermost in her mind is her unconditional, undying love for her husband". We all know it....! All your writings are marked by a rare sincerity of tone. I am sure this will be placed high. All the Best dear Sara...

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/14/2023 4:28:00 AM

you are so kind, Valsa! Thank you for your visit...and I understand the busyness this time of year. Me too. I'm grateful you enjoyed the poem with its espousal. I was hesitant to post it because it seemed self serving...we shall see. Thank you for being supportive. Have a great day, hugs, Sara

Ink Empress

Date: 12/12/2023 5:19:00 AM

This is such a sincere and heartfelt write, introspective and touching, i can tell that this comes from a deep place and you’ve expressed in such poetic eloquence dear sara as always. I love your wordplay and flow of lines and how seamlessly they all go together, is beyond impeccable. I can resonate with “ Loud and aggressive persons she avoids, for they are vexatious to her spirit. Mellifluous and meaningful stories and poems she strives to write” hits home! And the story ending is soul stirri

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/12/2023 6:16:00 PM

thank you, kind Ink, for your thoughtful comments. Yes, the poem came from a deep place...wasn't sure if the topic was a bit self centered...but it's the one that landed so to speak :-) I'm grateful you found beauty in the wordplay and flow. I appreciate you also not liking 'loud and agressive persons.' I've always been that way. Grateful for your encouraging words. You're the best, hugs, Sara

Ink Empress
Date: 12/12/2023 5:21:00 AM

Stirring. Ah despite the struggles etc in your life how you focus on light and positivity can be felt through your words beautiful soul. I hope this scores really high. Goodluck

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 12/12/2023 2:25:00 AM

wow this is a masterpiece ready for the creative gallery. I am sure S O will love this, have a precious day dear friend. :)

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/12/2023 6:14:00 PM

thanks for your visit and for your encouraging words. I'm delighted you found my poem to be a masterpiece...that means a lot to me. Have a delightful evening, Sara

Sotto Poet

Date: 12/11/2023 4:25:00 PM

Your words flow as freely as the river of reality itself, dear Sara. Your message is beautiful and reflective. Both positive and negative memories should be stored in the subconscious, and It's a pleasure to integrate them. You did a wonderful job with this abecedarian. Good luck with the contest.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/11/2023 5:42:00 PM

thanks, dear Sotto, for your kind and thoughtful words. Your encouragement means a great deal to me. I agree...both positive and negative memories should be stored...combined, they make us whole. This was my first Abecedarian...took me a quite a while...hope to improve on the next one. Have a great evening, your poetess friend, Sara

Jay Narain

Date: 12/11/2023 10:35:00 AM

Nice poem in a difficult format, Reflects the events and emotions in a woman's life. Well penned.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/11/2023 5:42:00 PM

thank you for your kind words, Jay. Yes, it's a difficult format; this was my first. Have a pleasant evening, Sara

Jerry Brotherton

Date: 12/11/2023 5:13:00 AM

Fantastic, Sara. Let me say that I am usually not a fan of abecedarian as they are generally filled with forced words and a lack of meaning. But yours is a masterpiece. Your words flow smoothly like the river of life. Your message is both sad and beautiful. This is a fav for me, my friend.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/11/2023 5:44:00 PM

Jerry-your words both touched and encouraged me, for this was my first Abecedarian. I worked on it for days...so I'm glad it flowed and had meaning. Thank you for the fave! I'm grateful and humble. Have a great evening, Sara

Tom Cunningham

Date: 12/11/2023 4:11:00 AM

A life well lived Sara, we all have those memories both good and bad. Tom

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/11/2023 5:45:00 PM

thank you for stopping by, Tom. I think we're all supposed to have both good and bad memories...they make as more whole. Anyway, thanks for the read and comments, Sara

Tonye George

Date: 12/11/2023 4:00:00 AM

True! Memories are to be kept in our hearts, good and bad. Lovely to digest. Life comes with aging and it's a beautiful thing.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/11/2023 5:45:00 PM

thank you, Tonye, for your visit and for your lovely comments. I'm coming to accept that aging is a beautiful thing. Appreciate you...have a great evening, Sara