My mother always whisked at me, stop whining! That’s what they all said, the keening call of my desires unmet at three years old, and four, and five. Perhaps if love had listened, eyes lent for one certain moment, my pleadings would have found their rest, my voice settled like cooling water in our stovetop kettle. Remember the urgency of that whistle? I shrieked like that. These days, I feel like a child again. I pout until I am sick, helpless with rage as I cry out, Deliver us, Lord! Spare us the trial! For some, grief brings tears-- grace restoring balance deep in the blood, bringing temperatures down. But not for me. I am intolerably hot. People say, nothing is wasted with God. The way I’m steaming, I fear I will evaporate into nothingness, leaving no one to whine the necessary complaints, Angel of Death, pass over! Free us, Lord! Losing that voice would be a waste at any age. Karen Jessee ******* Please offer your reflections by leaving a comment below, and invite your friends to visit Search and Know.
If you'd like to receive an email notification of new posts, email me at searchandknow@mindspring.com.
4 Comments
Kathleen Putnam
4/1/2020 08:10:11 pm
I am sad that little girl wasn’t listened to. I’d like to hold her in my arms, smooth her hair and her brow and just be with her- accepting her, all of her - cries, tears, whining, yes even shrieking. And be present. I don’t need to ask her what she needs because I know what she needs: a listening ear, an accepting heart, a loving spirit. All of us need that and children especially need that. Jesus said “Suffer the little children to come unto me.”..”
Reply
Melva fager Ojun
4/1/2020 08:58:42 pm
I thank you for your beautiful poem, it is definitely heartfelt. I think nowadays we all feel like screaming, if not all of the time, then most of the time..
Reply
Liz
4/1/2020 11:19:50 pm
I too ache for that precious little girl. And I’m thankful she is using her exquisite voice, gifts and talents today.
Reply
Steve
4/3/2020 07:03:14 am
We hear you. We're here for you. Thank you for being here for us too. We need you and your voice for our times.
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Details
Archives
April 2021
Categories
All
|