Notes About The Poem

Inspired by a movie I once saw, using different details and a totally different ending!

 

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When Angels Yield To Fate

Here below the point where, losing his footing,
he’d tumbled down into the cavity 
of what appeared to be a giant cleft
left in the side of this ancient cliff,
He lay, an anomaly
sharing space with two large boulders
which he now was wedged between.
These rocks, which had formed
layer upon layer through millenniums
till they jutted out into the 
hollow’s middle space,
held him in a firm and stubborn grip.
He strained again and again
to extricate his body, but to no avail.
He remained securely lodged between the rocks.

Days passed.  The man’s little hope
became despair.
Till the final drop of water in his canteen
had been drained,
till his final cries for help echoed in his ears
and then dissolved,
he lay in misery - soberly reflecting
on both the bad, though repented of, and
the mostly good he’d done throughout his life.
Then yielding to his fate, and
looking upward to the last small space of heaven
he could see,
he slowly closed his eyes.

Above him, gazing down from
a thinly veiled partition in the sky
was his guardian, who wept one silent tear.
She wept for one thing only- for
the fear and suffering her charge had long endured.
When that single tear was shed,
(and this is key) she wept no more,
but spread strong, graceful wings
for her descent.

June 17, 2020
For John Hamilton's Your Fave Poem 2020 Not Written For A Contest Poetry Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Kauffman Avatar
June 24, 2020 at 11:07 AM
This is amazing, Andrea - beautifully heart wrenching yet so filled with a sense of comforting love. Congratulations on you win, my friend. Blessings to you.
Mcintosh Avatar
June 21, 2020 at 3:26 PM
Wonderfully written, dear Andrea. It's a awesome poem that deserves note. Love and prayers for you, Gina
Michael Avatar
June 19, 2020 at 10:24 AM
Nice imagery and story...Liked it...
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 19, 2020 at 3:43 AM
I am pretty sure you are speaking of the poor climber who got stuck and could not free himself and he had to cut off his own hand or arm to free himself and he lived! That was some story. I liked your ending better. Congratulations on your second place win! Blessings xxoo
Mcintosh Avatar
June 21, 2020 at 3:27 PM
WOW... double wow - I Didn't know about this. So sad
Dietrich Avatar
June 19, 2020 at 11:12 AM
yes, he cut off his own arm! It was horrible that he had to do that. In my story he just closes his eyes and dies, to be taken to heaven by the angel. The "real" story happened in a Utah national park. After he "saved himself" the guy walked all bloody OUT of his hole and down the canyon until hikers finally discovered him and called 911. He had not told a soul where he was going that weekend, so nobody knew where he was! Today he STILL does extreme sports and is married now!
Norton Avatar
June 18, 2020 at 11:03 PM
What an amazing poem, Andrea, it draws me in and makes me think about the miracle of this mishap. And it is a lovely piece of writing. Best wishes!
Goldsmith Avatar
June 18, 2020 at 6:26 PM
Congratulations on your win. We all need an angel. Right now, I could use some graceful wings. Enjoy your win and day............
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 18, 2020 at 4:01 PM
This is so poignant and heartfelt Andrea. I could visualize it all to the point of thirsting for water. I am sure this will be a winner. Blessings xxoo
Hamilton Avatar
June 18, 2020 at 10:55 AM
This is a stunning write Andrea, one of the best I've read from you, I guess I need to read more of you...congrats on a top win!
Dietrich Avatar
June 18, 2020 at 7:14 PM
Probably you would like better my free verse poetry in general than my rhymes!
Dietrich Avatar
June 18, 2020 at 7:14 PM
Thanks for the nice win.
Watt Avatar
June 18, 2020 at 3:10 AM
Such comfort in knowing that even in our most sorrowful hour we are not alone. Beautiful narrative, well told. Best wishes, my friend.
Horsman Avatar
June 17, 2020 at 11:55 PM
A man trapped, and an angel, to the rescue. I read this, Andrea, not as a physical thing, but a mental one, where ones stability is challenged in so many ways. Another wonderful rendering from you...Stay Safe.
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