Mark Toney Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

In Memory of Vanessa Shaffer (1982-1998)

Vanessa's Song

After but a moment,
Drowning in a sea of confusion,
All hope dashed against rocks of despair,
Her firm resolve culminates in
V I O L E N C E . . .
S i l e n c e...

"For the one who has died has been acquitted from his sin."—Romans 6:7

After but a moment,
The maiden awakens
To peaceful surroundings.

"...Why are you causing noisy confusion and weeping?
The young child has not died, but is sleeping."
"Then, taking the hand of the child, he said to her, 'Tal'i-tha cu'mi,'
which, when translated, means: 'Little girl, I say to you, get up!'"—Mark 5:39, 41

Her eyes slowly adjust as
Her recognition rushes
With audible cries of joy:
"My Mother... My Father... You look so much younger, you do!
My Brother... and the others! Could this really be true?"
As the sun shines, our eyes rain thousands of tears
For the thousands of years of exquisite delight before us.

"...and he said that something should be given her to eat."—Mark 5:43

She feasts on curing fruit, and does willingly stoop
To drink from the river of water of life.
"In the reflection I see
What could have been,
What should have been,
Yes, what now is true for me!"

Oh, Vanessa, what grand, joyful reunion!
Love...
Joy...
Peace...
Innocence of youth reclaimed!

Please sing me a new song, my darling girl.
Please sing me a new song again.

"Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming
in which all those in the memorial tombs will
hear his voice and come out..."—John 5:28, 29






Copyright © 1998-2018 by Mark Toney.  All rights reserved.

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Barbara Barry-Nishanian February 16, 2021 at 4:37 AM This is poignant! You have so much depth and love in you I appreciate our friendship, you and Carol Mark Toney February 26, 2021 at 9:37 AM Thank you, Barbara! We love you too :)

Line Gauthier May 24, 2020 at 1:08 AM OMG this is such a poignant story - I can't even imagine the grief of dealing with teen suicide ~ your poem is a touching way to offer solace. Mark Toney July 30, 2020 at 12:07 PM Line, thank you for this lovely comment. I was reviewing this poem today because I wanted to add 10 more poems that define me to my "Biography" section on PS (to make 20), just as you did. I very much appreciate your kind expressions. ~Mark

FJ Thomas August 26, 2018 at 7:05 PM All in Memorial tombs... and I cannot wait dear Mark. So very heartfelt and uplifting in it's sadness. Mark Toney August 26, 2018 at 7:38 PM FJ, I appreciate your reading my poetry today. I very much look forward to reading your poetry. Thank you for your gracious, encouraging comments.