I Wait and Hope

In the frame there is a photo
which I took of you that day
just a month before you left me
on my own and went away.

It reminds me with insistence 
of the things I can’t forget,
every moment I shared with you
since the day that we first met.

          I stroke your face and flowing hair
          But fake it is; you are not there.

					I keep staring at the picture
					Looking deep into your eyes
					While the hope stirs up inside me
					That you’ll take me by surprise
					When you whisper out of nowhere
					“Here I am, back by your side.”

Days have gone; the rooms are empty,
there’s a void I can’t replace.
In my mind the doubts keep hinting
that this is a hopeless case.

Yet I find the strength to save me
from the dangers of despair:
It’s the faith that keeps me going.
I will cope while it is there.

          I never knew that things were wrong.
          This is the place where you belong.
				
                                        I keep staring at the picture
					Looking deep into your eyes
					While the hope stirs up inside me
					That you’ll take me by surprise
					When you whisper out of nowhere
					“Here I am, back by your side.”

----------------------------
Form B ~ Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Broken Wings
Placed 3rd
17th December, 2016
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Smith Avatar
January 17, 2017 at 3:29 PM
Been there my friend.. Keep tugging on those heartstrings..
Breedt Avatar
January 3, 2017 at 11:58 PM
Hi Paul, I can identify with your sentiments. Hope that thigs will be better in 2017 for you
Callus Avatar
January 4, 2017 at 4:21 PM
Thank you, Jannie; pleased to make your acquaintance. Regards // paul
Lindley Avatar
January 3, 2017 at 9:57 PM
GOTTA fav this super ballad my friend. Love those golden verses and that fantastic ending! A gem....
Lindley Avatar
January 5, 2017 at 10:22 AM
Great blessings to you and yours my friend.. I pray this year brings you great health, wealth and joyful times!
Callus Avatar
January 4, 2017 at 4:20 PM
Thank you, Robert, for your generosity! Pleased to have you stopping by today. Hope you're keeping well, and may the new year bring you blessings, serenity and lots of inspiration. Regards // paul
Haight Avatar
December 31, 2016 at 11:17 AM
Such a sad and heartfelt Ballade, Paul. Congratulations on your well-deserved podium win! And, Happy New Year! Sandra
Callus Avatar
January 1, 2017 at 3:44 PM
Many thanks Sandra. I hope that the new year will bring you happiness, love, good health, and lots of inspiration! ~ Regards // paul
Smith Avatar
December 30, 2016 at 12:36 PM
Need a beer to cry in after reading this one, congratulations Paul...
Callus Avatar
December 30, 2016 at 1:40 PM
Thank you, Charlie:) Have a nice weekend. // paul
Allison Avatar
December 30, 2016 at 2:09 AM
Dropping back with my congrats Paul - would love to hear this set to music!:-) hugs Jan xx
Callus Avatar
December 30, 2016 at 2:07 PM
Thank you, Jan. Somebody has already offered to set it to music, so let's see what comes out of it!! Hugs // paul
Krampe Avatar
December 29, 2016 at 7:58 PM
Congrats on your win, Paul. Lovely ballad!
Callus Avatar
December 30, 2016 at 2:05 PM
Thank you, Agnes. Again, congrats on placing 2nd with a most lovely entry! Regards // paul
Roper Avatar
December 29, 2016 at 7:42 PM
This is a wonderful wirte, Paul, congratulations on your win. Have a Happy New Year’s and all your wishes come true… and don’t forget to eat those Black-eyed peas :) I was told they don't have them there in Malta. Hugs Eve
Callus Avatar
December 30, 2016 at 1:57 PM
Thank you, Eve. If I find time, tomorrow I'll have a look around for black-eyed peas...must not throw away the chance to get wealthy overnight:) All the best for the new year...will keep you in mind at midnight:) Hugs // paul
Manassian Avatar
December 24, 2016 at 7:01 PM
This is a fictitious write, for who could know you and leave, dear. Lovely...I love the rhythm and flow. Merry Christmas....hope you celebrate in lovely Malta with all the joy that this season holds.
Callus Avatar
December 25, 2016 at 12:38 PM
Thank you for the lovely complimentary remarks, Eileen:)) We've had a lovely Christmas, complimented by sunny weather. Hugs // paul
Zubair Avatar
December 24, 2016 at 4:01 AM
Beautifully written, its like treading dangerous waters when this word if keeps on echoing.
Callus Avatar
December 24, 2016 at 8:31 AM
Thank you Samiha. Sometimes, love and commitment can be a gamble! If things go wrong, somebody is apt to get hurt. ~ Warm regards ~ paul
Andresen Avatar
December 20, 2016 at 1:13 PM
- Always have the strength ... if we lose hope ... we lose everything - A deeply moving poem, Paul - Best wishes for a peaceful and beautiful Christmas to you and your family - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Callus Avatar
December 20, 2016 at 1:23 PM
Faith is the strength which keeps us on track, Anne-Lise. Thank you for the nice comments and season wishes. May you and your family also enjoy a blessed and happy Christmas:) Hugs // paul
A   Avatar
December 20, 2016 at 12:09 PM
Paul this is a very deep write, I am so glad the poem holds on to hope, and today I re-posted my poem, WALTZ... where she loses all hope. I just love your poem. Reading your poem, makes me happy to be back... LOVE LINDA
Callus Avatar
December 20, 2016 at 12:47 PM
It's a pleasant surprise finding you on my doorstep, Linda!! Your long absence had not gone unnoticed. Thank you for the lovely feedback. ~ Wishing you and your loved ones a most joyous Christmas and all the best for 2017. Warm regards // paul
Meade Avatar
December 19, 2016 at 2:34 PM
Another well crafted piece that captures the love and the lost of that love! My favorite line is "It's the faith that keeps me going." Without this line, the poem crushes the heart, but with it, I believe it holds out hope that one day love with rise from the ashes experiences. Well done Paul, 7 +
Callus Avatar
December 19, 2016 at 3:53 PM
A pleasure to have you stopping by, David; also glad to see you posting again. Thank you for the welcome insightful feedback. Best regards // paul
Marcum Wong Avatar
December 19, 2016 at 6:16 AM
Paul , your poem eloquently expresses that longing of lost love. I can relate. I think this is beautifully written, pulling at the heartstrings! I hope this entry does really well! ; ) 7
Callus Avatar
December 19, 2016 at 11:10 AM
Thank you for the lovely feedback and high rating, Connie! Many people find themselves relating to lost love. Regards // paul
Hamilton Avatar
December 18, 2016 at 9:04 AM
So so very good, really enjoyed the read Paul, you are very good at this form, you're right reads like a lyric. Should do well in the contest.
Callus Avatar
December 18, 2016 at 3:52 PM
Thank you, John. Yes, this is lyric, but the story part of it could make it eligible for a ballad. ~ Regards // paul
Allison Avatar
December 17, 2016 at 5:34 PM
aww Paul this is so so sad it gave me a huge lump in my throat... we are both singing from the same hymn sheet with our sad poems I am going to try and work on mine to turn it into a ballad for the contest - yours is wonderful!!! you are such an awesome songwriter my friend:-) hugs Jan xx
Callus Avatar
December 18, 2016 at 3:57 AM
Thank you for your lovely feedback, Jan. We soak in sadness while others make merry:) This could easily have gone under lyric, but I took a chance with ballad. Hugs // paul
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