Forlorn Hope

i stand here
this dismal day
beneath the hues
of ashen skies
looking at these trees
still as bare as i
in emotions

i wonder 
if their roots
are as twisted
as mine
beneath
their earthen grave

do they thirst
for hope
forlorn
on the wings
of time

do they feel
the cold of winter
as it strips them
bare

do they hear
the rustle
of their old leaves
beneath my feet
as i walk along
emotionless
shadowless
alone

like words lost
on tips of tongues
their buds
are forming
slowly gathering
bursting outward

their limbs
reaching
into misty air
like my hands
stumbling
for another
to hold
once again
finding
only emptiness 
through the distance
of past

am i to stand
less tall
ready to fall
naked of hope
like love fell
forlorn
on the wings
of time

am i
a non-existent 
shadow of past
hollow
of emotion
afraid to stand
alone

i stand here
this dismal day
beneath the hues
of ashen skies
looking at the trees
as the woodpecker
breaks the silence
as if drilling me
looking for hope
something
i myself
cannot find



April 15 2021

This or That, Vol 2 Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Edward Ibeh
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Culverhouse Avatar
June 16, 2021 at 7:09 AM
good read flows smoothly
Wolves Avatar
June 2, 2021 at 4:24 PM
Such sadness drips from each stanza...Echoes of melancholy reflections reverberate through every word...
Kauffman Avatar
May 14, 2021 at 10:18 AM
Wonderful metaphoric write Sandra - full of your trademark imagery. I really like your inclusive form and the repetition of your first line. Congratulations on your win. So happy to have you back on the soup - no more "dismal days!" Blessings dear friend.
Ibeh Avatar
May 13, 2021 at 3:02 PM
Stunningly brilliant poem, Sandra! It's so nice to see you back on this site. Congrats on your win in my contest!
Gondolf Avatar
May 1, 2021 at 7:07 AM
So good to read your wonderful poetry once again, Sandy, your pen never disappoints. Congrats on your win. Hugs, John
Dietrich Avatar
April 27, 2021 at 2:45 PM
Long time no see. But glad to see THIS here with the win it deserves. Congrats, Sandy
Goldsmith Avatar
April 27, 2021 at 9:38 AM
Congratulations on your win. A wonderful and creative story/write. "I Love It" Could we be like a tree?????? Have a blessed day writing away..........................
Lamoureux Avatar
April 26, 2021 at 8:57 PM
I’m glad you are not sad. You did make it feel real.
Lamoureux Avatar
April 26, 2021 at 8:55 PM
Congrats on your win. What a emotive piece. Hugs Rick.
Hamilton Avatar
April 26, 2021 at 6:43 PM
Well well you entered it, great congrats on another win Sandy!
Hamilton Avatar
April 26, 2021 at 8:59 AM
This is classic Sandra Adams, oh how I love a good free verse, why not enter this in my free verse contest, it's closing soon!
Hicks Avatar
April 20, 2021 at 10:30 PM
I've been broken out of daydreams as well from noisy woodpeckers (it's a beautiful disturbance though). You paint a very forlorn picture of sadness mixed intermingling with the woods around you. Hope you can unbind yourself out of the stoop, but the melancholy made for a worthy read.
Ligon Avatar
April 20, 2021 at 7:30 PM
Your poem embodies the theme well. I love your nature references used to describe the emotion.
Mcintosh Avatar
April 19, 2021 at 4:33 AM
This is such a wonderful write and so worthy of a win. I'm so sure it will! God bless you my kind and gentle friend ... Love, Gina
Mcconnell Avatar
April 16, 2021 at 1:23 PM
Lovely piece although so sad but written with craft and expertise Sandy, so glad to be reading your poems again for you were a big miss. Take care and keep safe, blessings and hugs always, Gordon
Pandit Avatar
April 16, 2021 at 5:30 AM
Once again you shine in your signature style my friend. Contemplative journey of mind so well illustrated, Sandy.
Wolf Avatar
April 15, 2021 at 5:42 PM
'Vintage Sandra Adams' here, topped off with that woodpecker drilling holes into the very walls of your heart. ~ gw
Adams Avatar
April 15, 2021 at 6:20 PM
lol thanks for the laughs... when people ask for sad poems, you know me, i can deliver them... especially on a cloudy morning...i stop with my bus my a preserved plot of land with a walking trail, though i can't walk it because i don't have that kind of time i look around for nature, this scenery is from my morning view... the words used to convey the contest theme... hugs
Y. Avatar
April 15, 2021 at 12:50 PM
Hi Sandra, I found your well-written write sad; however, you painted such a good picture with amazing imagery and metaphors. And your skillful pen caused me to see beauty in the midst of your sadness. It looks like a winner to me. Best wishes in the contest. Have a great day- Alexis
Adams Avatar
April 15, 2021 at 6:23 PM
Thank you so much Alexis... the scenery was my view this morning, well every morning i am at the same spot but today it was cloudy, woodpecker in the distance... i love nature and trying to weave it into my poetry... the sad tones is because of the title i picked from the choices he gave... hugs
Clark Avatar
April 15, 2021 at 11:54 AM
Absolutely brimming with well-said and powerful emotions. You have such a gift.
Adams Avatar
April 15, 2021 at 6:24 PM
wow thank you so much for the compliment and the visit to my page :) hugs
Buhagiar Avatar
April 15, 2021 at 9:53 AM
A bit sad. Hope you are alright. Your poem is filled with sad emotions but portrayed so beautifully.
Adams Avatar
April 15, 2021 at 11:28 AM
I am good forlorn means sad so I tried to take the morning view and make it into a sad feeling poem. Thank you Victor. Will stop by your page after work today. Hugs
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