Rungs of Hope

Life keeps going to find his purpose
he strolls across verdant plains and trudges up the hills
sometimes dejection follows rejection and distress
darkness engulfs
and something spooky emerges 
looming large to form something horrid…
a hideous hunchbacked hiatus.
Life slows down…wary of the 
impending hindrances for his progress
and there is a temporary pause.

This hideous hiatus distracts him, traps his mind, 
capable of taking any form…like

alarming anxiety… about denial and failure
gloomy grief… at the loss of a loved one  
frantic fear… of loneliness and uncertainty
abominable anger… that cannot be controlled
pernicious pride… without the grace of humility
disgusting jealousy… of others’ success
dreary vacuity… that fills the desperate mind

…it keeps hovering around on and off
in many more such formless forms

Yet something prompts Life to try to move.
He musters courage and proceeds further
as he imbibes wisdom
from little things he sees
in nature
in his day-to-day life…like:

A fertile green land in a vast sandy desert

Tiny seeds that spurt to grow 
into young new seedlings

The gleaming full moon
spreading soft light
upon dreadful paths at midnight

A toddler who tries to get up
and walk with wobbly steps
in spite of falling down many times

A ladder in which
hope takes her first step
in its rungs
and ascends to new heights
overcoming obstacles

The dots of a rangoli 
that would never let 
the motifs of our thoughts waver
imparting spiritual insights into life

A pure white dove
sitting with its pair
a sign of hope
of finding a lost love.

As hope follows every form of hiatus
like buds finding way to bloom 
at every trench of rocky soil
Life advances on and on…
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

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Empress Avatar
September 7, 2023 at 7:06 AM
“ as hope follows every form of hiatus “ i love that line especially and the depth of your word weaving here , so many profound truths that conveys your thoughts in a seamless manner. The flow and the way you’ve described things such as “ a ladder in which hope takes her first step” “ gleaming full moon…” such heartfelt imagery, so moving and stunning. I absolutely loved reading your poem, you have a very refreshing way of expressing in sheer brilliance
Lawrence Avatar
September 6, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Welcome Back !! What a journey dear Ani . Your expressions filled with nuance , wisdom, insight and renewal. So many passages of life expressed beautifully. I have missed your poems, your heart and your spirit. My favorites ~ A ladder in which hope takes her first steps and a sign of hope of finding a lost love. So much to overcome sometimes and loss and pain are challenging. I love how you give us so many examples of hope and rebirth . Big hugs to you dear friend . Love always, Susan :)
Baker Avatar
September 5, 2023 at 9:16 PM
Beautiful, uplifting poetry, Anitha. Your clarity of thought made your message easy to read and understand. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us through your mindful poetry, my friend. Bill
Dietrich Avatar
September 5, 2023 at 1:22 PM
Thanks for your birthday greeting, and please see my soupmail.
Jayasankar Avatar
September 5, 2023 at 7:33 PM
Ria, I've sent a reply to your Soupmail. Hope you read it.
Bowring Avatar
September 5, 2023 at 6:13 AM
A very beautiful poem Anitha. So well expressed and written. The last two verses, in particular, are gorgeous! I so enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing. Blessings to you.
George Avatar
September 4, 2023 at 10:49 PM
Life is a strange concoction of joy and sorrow, excitement and disappointment, triumps and defeats. There will be temporary hiatus. Yet it will keep moving like a river flowing. The happy scenes will shake life off its lethargy. Very profound and introspective with inspiring and philosophical thoughts!
Dietrich Avatar
September 4, 2023 at 2:09 PM
So good to see you here with this personification of life, both the good with the bad. Wonderful images, dear friend
Pandit Avatar
September 4, 2023 at 7:22 AM
Glad to see you again, Anitha. Much enjoyed the voice of your poem. Highly emotive write, wonderfully descriptive of travails of life--followed by splendid images of hope. I like the turn in the poem that dwells in inspiration. Superbly done!
Sharma  Avatar
September 4, 2023 at 2:09 AM
This is a very brilliant wnd heartfelt write hued with myriad textures of philosophical depth which has been conveyed to us through meticulously crafted imageries, whimsical wordplay and majestic words of wisdom.. I especially love how you've used nature to describe these emotions and then painted a vivid scene of self-reflection and growth by giving different examples in a very poetic way.. I particularly love the ending line about hope.. So beautiful! :)
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