The Sighs of Lullabies

the consecrate rose
sits on the bureau 
its petals ebonized
now delicate
like life

the tempo of night
strums through whispers
of gentle wind
beneath the tones
of a lullaby
as shadows rock
back and forth
on roseate walls
while obtuse thoughts
peek in and out of mind
like the indigent moon
shrouded by clouds

she suckles on thoughts
as she kisses the infant
the press of hard glass
kissing back through the edges
of her delirium 

she tries to mediate
in her sleepless mind
between lifeless beats
faded in egregious moments
that fate pillaged from hope
and the pleas of unanswered prayers
as they fell like rituals
night after night
awakening to cockcrow
her tears bleed
against crimson flesh
as she rocks
hands empty
alone



August 16, 2019
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Kauffman Avatar
April 27, 2020 at 3:59 PM
Sandra, congratulations! Metaphor, imagery mixed with t.s. eliot created words - "fate pillaged from hope," "peek in and out of mind," all from the perspective of the rose "delicate like life." Amazing write, my friend. Hugs and prayers!
Goldsmith Avatar
April 27, 2020 at 2:20 PM
Congratulations on your win. Your pen was working over time on emotions. So sorry for your loss. Heaven holds many little ones. Hugs for a good week.........
Watt Avatar
April 27, 2020 at 2:00 AM
Heartbreaking. I was born after my mother lost three in a row. I can't imagine the resilience, fortitude, and faith it took to keep trying. Yet here I am, grateful. Heart hugs for this, Sandra.
Scars Avatar
September 12, 2019 at 10:33 AM
What an intense poem, poignant and so much depth. Amazing as always sweet lady. Congrats :)-luloo
Adams Avatar
September 12, 2019 at 11:49 AM
thank you my friend, i, much like you, have a way of showing emotions in poetry :) hugs
Hamilton Avatar
September 12, 2019 at 9:55 AM
Well Sandy what can I say....this was a stunning write, congrats on another winning write...little consolation considering the subject matter!
Adams Avatar
September 12, 2019 at 10:09 AM
Thank you John for the honor, your kind words and hosting the contest...you wanted to feel emotion, i seem to be able to pen emotion often, the words you chose brought this one, out! That child would be 16 now... hugs
Lane Avatar
September 12, 2019 at 4:30 AM
Sandra, your words touched me deeply, for twice have I rocked with empty arms. It's a heartache that never heals. Congratulations on also touching John's heart to share the win.
Adams Avatar
September 12, 2019 at 5:24 AM
Thank you Lin, I too lost my last, my mother her first ... sorry for your losses it’s painful for many of us women. Thanks for your kind words upon my page :) hugs
Chiri Avatar
September 12, 2019 at 12:48 AM
See I knew it was a winner!;) congrats on a well deserved win!;)
Adams Avatar
September 12, 2019 at 5:25 AM
Thank you Brenda your words made me smile this morning :) hugs
Marcum Wong Avatar
September 11, 2019 at 10:45 PM
Wow Sandra! This poem is so impressive it gave me chills! It is so deserving of your top placement! Congratulations my friend! I wish I could write like this! xxoo
Adams Avatar
September 12, 2019 at 5:27 AM
Thank you my friend .. you write beautifully I sometimes wish I could share beauty in words like you. My muse draws on emotions often! You are amazing and made me smile :) hugs
Green Avatar
August 20, 2019 at 10:49 AM
This left me breathless and empty. The sorrow and loneliness poured from this fantastic poem. You have a way of expressing yourself that brings the reader in and allows them to feel whatever you are expressing. Best of luck in the contest.
Adams Avatar
August 20, 2019 at 11:55 AM
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment...you made me smile...sometimes buried pain comes through with the writes but i am honored to know one can feel it in my words! hugs :)
Wolf Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 10:00 AM
Simply stunning in its imagery of never-ending heartbreak.... Certainly meets the challenge, and then some! Best always, Gershon (soup mail, please)
Adams Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 10:58 AM
Thank you my friend... this one was buried down deep for many years...sometimes just one word can spark the muse to dig deep within.... hugs :)
One Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 4:45 AM
wow... this is brilliant, love how you wrote this, and how you expressed it, so many great lines..... I can feel the sadness and despair.. a fave for me...
Adams Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 6:34 AM
Thank you for your kind comment... this one brought hidden pain to the surface, when i started to attempt this one i had no idea where my muse was heading.... hugs :)
Krutsinger Avatar
August 17, 2019 at 9:07 AM
Sadness in the form of a poetry filled with imagery is still sadness. So well done, Sandra. So well done. This part really grabbed my heart - "as she kisses the infant the press of hard glass"
Adams Avatar
August 17, 2019 at 8:34 PM
Thank you Caren... I guess it’s a pain you can temporarily bury but it never goes away. Hugs :)
Godwin Avatar
August 16, 2019 at 11:18 PM
You knocked this out of the park with exceptionally emotional and splendidly packed imagery. I'm quite confident John will adore the tone, content and entire feel in this moving, dramatic poem. Poetry hugs ... CayCay
Godwin Avatar
August 17, 2019 at 10:02 AM
Sweetheart, I'm right there with you. Lost my first pregnancy during the 2nd trimester, struggled for years to conceive again and failed for so long that I began crying if I saw a pregnant woman in a grocery store and I couldn't attend baby showers. I did finally conceive but no one was happy when I gave birth, just frightened for my son was born special needs. Do you have 3 healthy children, did I read that right? If so, you are blessed but I realize such doesn't diminish emotions of loss for the other. My 1st had a due date of 7/14/82 and every 7/14, I FEEL. No guessing, the pain is a layer of who you entirely are.
Adams Avatar
August 17, 2019 at 7:58 AM
Thank you Cay Cay...losing a baby at birth, or a miscarriage leaves a void in ones life...my dr had become harsh through fate by my 4th child, as he had just lost one of his own, and he told me 1 out of 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage, count your blessings, you have 3, this one will be lost soon...i was devastated... i guess the emotional pain is still buried within all these years later... hugs :)
Pandit Avatar
August 16, 2019 at 9:15 PM
Didn't even realize till the end.. you seamlessly blended those uncooperative words in to your poem..to tell a potent story..sad but true to real life. Well written, Sandra.
Adams Avatar
August 16, 2019 at 9:45 PM
Thank you Vijay.. so many have suffered the pain of loss, some have a hard time getting over it! My parents lost their fist born at birth. I never learned why or how as they never talked about it yet they took us every holiday to visit her grave :) hugs
Andresen Avatar
August 16, 2019 at 1:56 PM
- It's rare, I read a poem over and over again ... - (but, this I had to) ... it makes me so infinitely sad ... a cry, coming deep from within the soul   ... maybe my interpreter is totally wrong ... Touching and beautifully written, Sandra - Best wishes in the contest :) - Lovely weekend :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Adams Avatar
August 16, 2019 at 2:56 PM
Thank you my friend...your interpretation is right on the correct path...i miscarried my last child, though i didn't lose my mind, i did have the ultrasound picture in a frame and held it close over many of cries wondering why...i am blessed with 3 children and have 3 grandbabies one of which came a couple years after my miscarriage and i think he relieved the heaviness...i no longer have that photo xxx hugs
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