Occasionally I Never Search In Vain

Occasionally I despair,
an eternal uphill struggle,
a hopeless walk to sanity:
what else is there for me to do
but scream?

Occasionally my stomach rumbles
as pain, hunger and strife 
make it grow distressingly tight.

Occasionally I try to fight
and seek that elusive light
at the end of the tunnel
only to find an inky blackness,
ebony obscurity of darkness
that smothers the soul.

Occasionally I search
for a twisted street or
an endless channel
only to discover a world
devoid of any kindness,
languishing in defilement,
foul-smelling with pollution,
tarnished with infamy and slander,
and an ever-reigning lust.

But often I stand up,
for myself if for none other
and look down towards the horizon
and find what I require: hope and trust.


PS Sorry I left Poetry in the lurch but was hospitalised for three days.  I hope to read your poems soon.   But please give me time.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Hawkins Avatar
June 12, 2023 at 8:55 PM
Oh! Dear Victor So sorry to hear you have been hospitalised, I can understand the urge to scream. Take things slowly until you feel better and keep writing your marvellous poetry. Take care, Old Duck
Legros Kelley Avatar
June 12, 2023 at 6:58 PM
Victor, you are kind, and it is such a better world to be in knowing there are still good people like you. You make a big difference in this world. I hope you feel more community and peace from your friends on poetrysoup. I have had a few rough days as well, people are often so unkind, but then with a few minutes to be on here, I feel uplifted. I hope you are well today. You're not alone, the angels, and your Lord are right there with you, it helps me to remember that fact. God bless you Victor.
Eslinger Avatar
June 12, 2023 at 5:41 PM
Oh, Victor, dear dear friend! i will send up prayers for your health. This poem is hard hitting. It made me think to comment, no wonder Christ asked for children to come sit with him, bedause the innocents of humanity still know joy, laughter, wonder, discovery, simplicity…as does nature, sparse, green, truth reaching always to the sky. All this I pray with love for you! sally
Kendrick Avatar
June 12, 2023 at 4:25 AM
Sorry to learn you have been sick. Sometimes illness snicks up on a person. I hope you are much better now. I enjoyed reading your emotive work. When we get sick, everything seems much worse than it is. Sara
Roper Avatar
June 12, 2023 at 2:28 AM
Life sometimes hard to bare, but we struggle on. Well written verse with lots of feelings. Get well my friend
George Avatar
June 11, 2023 at 8:58 PM
Sorry to hear that you were hospitalized and glad to know you feel better now. What a wonderful poem. Though begun on a highly dismal note, it has ended in hope and light. May God give you light in your ensuing journey!
Andresen Avatar
June 11, 2023 at 10:13 AM
- This was a sad poem to read, Victor - I'm so sorry you're not feeling well - Sorry for the late comment, but I wasn't home this weekend - I wish you a speedy recovery ... and a lovely new week, my friend - P- Soup doesn't mean everything in this world...your health is more important - hugs
Daniel Avatar
June 11, 2023 at 6:47 AM
Glad to know you are better now, Victor, great ending, sometimes the only thing that keeps us going is that hope and trust in the Lord:)
Rodrigues Avatar
June 11, 2023 at 5:31 AM
Oh my! Glad you are doing better! I always do think about you when there is an absence! Great emotive write. We are glad to have you on Poetry Soup, dear friend!
Gentile Avatar
June 11, 2023 at 4:17 AM
Victor, your words are captivating as they so poignantly express a part of your journey! I think that this is just fantastic writing and it definitely made me feel! I hope your are well now, sending positive thoughts your way! Happy Sunday !!
Ricci Avatar
June 11, 2023 at 2:47 AM
Good Morning Victor. Take all the time you need. Your health and well being is important and poetrysoup will be here when you are ready to sit down with poetry. You are a treasure and such a beautiful and skilled writer with much admiration from us all. Thank you for sharing this particular entry with us. Love and Blessings now and always (smile smile smile)
Allison Avatar
June 11, 2023 at 1:55 AM
aww Victor so sorry to hear you have been unwell and welcome back to soup, great to see you posting again:-) hugs jan xx
Buehler Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 7:17 PM
So sorry to discover that you've been ill, Victor. You are in my heartfelt prayers. So nice to have you and your amazing poetry back.
Rose  Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 6:52 PM
SORRY TO HEAR VICTOR, BEEN AWAY FROM HERE FOR QUITE SOME TIME HOPE YOUR FEELING BETTER, PRAYERS SENT YOUR WAY XO
Kavanagh  Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 2:46 PM
Occasionally they let us out of hospital Victor, which is always a good sign, I’m glad to see you’re still writing, and the light is winning out over the darkness, take it easy, wishing you well, cheers David
Volumes Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 1:34 PM
Dont be distressed dear Victor. So many people admire and care about you, and you have so much to give, with your beautiful poetry. I too have just come home from being in hospital, we should have been communicating. Hope you are feeling better now. When feeling blue.. reach out, there are lots who care about you. I am one.
Poet Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 12:53 PM
Victor, you're a truly remarkable writer and deserve much praise for continuing to produce such high-quality poetry even while hospitalized. Your talent is truly inspiring. I hope you feel better.
Dietrich Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 12:31 PM
So sorry you were in hospital but kudos for keeping up here with quality poems like this one
Lane Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 12:18 PM
Hoping all is better and you're on the fine road to recovering now, Victor. Take care of yourself. Always search for hope and trust, even when they seem to be in short supply.
De Beaulieu Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 10:55 AM
Hello Victor, I hope that you recover soon. You are missed. So sorry you are in pain. You are in my prayers. Take time to heal. Your friend., Darlene
De Beaulieu Avatar
June 11, 2023 at 10:39 AM
Hello Victor, I started to pray for you last night. You will always be in my prayers. Hugs. My friend. /Darlene\
Buhagiar Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 11:35 AM
Thanks for your prayers. I need them these days. My blessings to you.
Ball Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 10:46 AM
Hope you are all better now Victor. Even a rash can be very painful and can be hard to get rid of. Well done my friend. God Bless, JB
Anaya Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 10:41 AM
Glad to see you are back and hopefully feeling better, Victor. Sometimes the only thing left to do is to scream! Be well
Seeker Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 10:17 AM
Hope you are better now, Victor ~ back with a bang, you are, with a great, heartfelt poem, God bless
Pandit Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 9:51 AM
Glad you are back again, Victor. Take your time. A poignant write this is--hope and trust will guide the way.
Cunningham Avatar
June 10, 2023 at 9:29 AM
We should never give searching Victor, sorry to hear that you were in hospital, I hope you make a good recovery. Tom
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