Emptiness

Such a simple word is empty.
It describes a container containing nothing.
It's some thing made to contain something,
but, alas, it's holding no thing at all.

Such a sad word is emptiness.
It's a feeling unlike any other
   because we have to have been full of something
      to feel what emptiness is.

Did the emptiness come after
   a full stomach,
   lungs full of air,
   a heart filled with love?

My stomach can be empty for a long while,
   but my lungs need air often
and my heart feels the same about love,
   except that it's lived many years without it.

An empty hand from none to grab,
   an empty chair from someone gone,
   the empty seat during a scenic ride
and the half empty bed from loved ones who are gone.

These are a few of the things that have left me empty.
Oh how I wish it wasn't such a hard word to live with.
I know there's much emptiness in your life also
and I don't believe for a second it's the best life has to offer.

It's so easy to fill a hand with another one,
so fast to fill a stomach with good food.
But, to fill a heart with love takes time,
well, perhaps only a minute or two for this crazy heart of mine.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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

Be the first to comment on this poem. Encourage this poet.

Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace