Jesse Zerlaut Poet Verse

Notes About The Poem

An ode to the people in my life suffering from chronic pain, including a bit of my own.  Please don't take this poem as a desire for suicide or some other morbid conclusion.  There are just some pains in life we understand won't dissipate till we're finally at rest.

At Rest

I long for a day I'm carried away to hide under a rock.
Inscribed with my name, engraved with two dates.
Where peace can be found that life cannot mock.

I don't mean this in morbid intent, it's not a wish to die.
but the simple reprieve from the pain that won't leave.
a call for relent, a body now spent, and it's longing only to sigh.

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Michael Ramel February 22, 2026 at 12:49 PM We all seek this reprieve of peace (temporal or eternal)...thanks for sharing Jesse Jesse Zerlaut February 22, 2026 at 11:21 PM I'm glad you appreciate and understand.

Emile Pinet April 27, 2017 at 6:45 PM Your words gently take the reader to your private place, where sanity can drift and unravel. Emile. #7 Jesse Zerlaut May 1, 2017 at 1:59 AM I'm glad you liked it. Thank you Emile!

Old Buck March 26, 2017 at 4:32 PM Jesse: I don't know your age and have never "kicked your tires"but agree there are times in a persons life that cause the feelings you've so well described. You might get a laugh from my last post on a similar topic. :o) Keep them coming. From a silly rhymer, oldbuck Jesse Zerlaut March 28, 2017 at 10:17 AM however, I have had my own pain-filled struggles that have at times left me wishing I didn't have to wait for a break in the clouds to feel well. Jesse Zerlaut March 28, 2017 at 10:16 AM 37 year young. I've watched two of my grandparents wither under the effects of cancer, and the smile that returned only when they let go. I've a mother who suffers from fibromyalgia and other conditions. A lot of that went into my feelings for this poem.

Sunlite Wanter March 26, 2017 at 12:54 PM I've been reading some of your poems after receiving the email about your lifetime membership (great!), and find them very rich and well penned. I can identify a bit with this one as old age creeps on. I'll be watching for your writes. Jesse Zerlaut March 28, 2017 at 10:18 AM thank you for reading the poems, Sunlite. My age isn't really up there, though I do have arthritis as well as some other conditions. The poem was more honoring people in my life having dealt with such.... and even my wish that their pains would be removed.

Becca Teagan March 8, 2017 at 8:40 AM I think when people get to that point of being tired, being in so much pain that they are ready to go.. it makes it a little tiny bit easier for those they leave behind to accept. Still it is always hard. I'm sorry for your pain, Jesse. Jesse Zerlaut March 9, 2017 at 3:57 AM My pain isn't so unmanageable, but I grew up in a home where my mother was nearly aways in pain and still is to this day. A lot of medicine and fogginess, or a lot of pain and clarity.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart March 7, 2017 at 8:05 PM I get. I got it. I give you a seven for it ;) Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart March 8, 2017 at 7:22 AM ...except I don't want to be under a rock, I'd rather fly ;) you inspired me to add "For The Birds" to the soup; thank you! xomo Jesse Zerlaut March 7, 2017 at 10:12 PM Thank you, Maureen. That means a lot to me!