ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

TAKE THE TIME … Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBarkPoet

When your mind is feeling weary and your body’s feeling sore
and you wake up in the morning asking ‘what am I here for’
when the clouds of blackness gather and like dense fog they descend
and you don’t know if you’ll make it through this pain that never ends;
then you have to gather courage and remember who you are
for nobody here gets left behind – we’ve made it through so far.

It’s a struggle for survival - all around the world seems grim.
No shades of grey? All black and white? Well just add colour in.
For life’s been unabated – it’s continued as before,
but alas you missed the picture hiding behind a closed door.
Venture forth into the sunlight, try to shake off all that gloom,
give thanks that flowers still blossom and that roses still have bloom.

Take the time you need to heal yourself – no journey is the same,
speak of your loved one often, find some comfort in their name.
Make sure they’re not forgotten and make every memory count.
Rebuild on strong foundations for you’re only down, not out.
Then if you require an undiscovered sanctuary to heal -
take whatever time is needed and give yourself time to feel.

One can always find great solace simply sitting by the shore
of the ocean, listening to the mighty oceans rant and roar,
or by a gentle creek whose waters tumbling over stones
calm and soothe a broken spirit with their susurrating tones,
or take shelter in the darkness and send your thoughts flying far
to your loved ones in the ether – and go camp beneath the stars.


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23.02.2024

That is brilliant Maureen, and in light of your recent sadness, obviously written straight from the heart.
So many beautiful, poignant lines that convey the message of taking the time to appreciate the small things in life and time will help cure.
Back to basics I guess, where really it all has to come from the inside.
Really enjoyed the read and the message.
Cheers
Ron.

Totally agree - a heartfelt poem, and with a positive message. It's so true that we can always find solace in nature. This is a moving and beautiful poem, Maureen.

Thank you Katherine and Ron for taking the time to read and to comment so kindly. Much appreciated

A beautiful but sad story Maureen

Unfortunately, it's a journey most of us have to take and far too often as we get older.
I'm not sure we ever fully recover from some of them.
But as your poem says you have to find solace in a way that suits you and that's not easy.

Loved the poem and can relate to it myself Maureen.

Terry

Thank you Maureen. Your words put the search for comfort in trying times and a recipe for finding it so beautifully. Many of us have journeyed there and will again.We all handle it in different ways. Some can find the sunshine again. Sadly some can't.
Wazza