A single tear
white-hot acid
announces self pity
abhorrent emotion
midday body crashed
I am foul-minded, drag-down
unreasonable…spiteful
shut my eyes against
a world of able-bodies
immune to the struggle
loathe this weakness
this intolerable disconnect –
body/mind detached from will
futility reality’s wall
could cry…will not cry
this day is not done.
Later, tasks accomplished –
I pushed through –
I sleep, awaken to nightfall
Soft pinks and blues
in a cottony sky
greet me – beauty
offering serenenity
and for a brief moment
a tinge of admiration surfaces
for the woman who survived
this day.
(Perception Softens first appeared here October 2018. I resubmit it here for my weekly challenge: soft. Image my own.)
I challenged myself (and you) this week to consider soft as contrast to the troublesome times. True to form, each entry brought a particular take on the prompt, and helped soften each day. Thanks to all who participated. Please check the entries below:
Heart to Heart, Textures in fall
I Write Her, His Royal Cuteness
A Shared Space, Like Hope
Our Eyes Open, Feathery Soft
PURPLEINPORTLAND, Softness
Reena Saxena, Soft Touch
radhikasreflection, Beyond The Comfort Zone!
MMAStoryTime, The New Guy
Eugi’s Causerie II, Options
parallax, Shaping
EASTELMHURST.A.GO.GO, Hardship
Blog of Hammad Rais, Eyes Softly Shut
Sgeoil, Morning Commute
Sgeoil, Softly Goes the World – A List Poem
See you tomorrow for a new challenge!
One Woman's Quest II 
Very amazing. Thank you for linking my post 🙂
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Thank you and you are welcome.
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Reblogged this on I Write Her and commented:
This piece provides great imagery of the emotions accompanying all the struggles of a bad day, luckily it ended with well-deserved praise.
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Thanks Susi. I will add that this piece was written when chronic illness ravaged my body and had me bedridden.
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My pleasure, VJ! I’m sorry that was the subject matter. I was struck by how well you expressed frustration but also hope, in this piece.
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Appreciate your support.
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Always!
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I love the movement of this poem from self-pity to grace. It’s a poem that people can take heart from.
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Thanks Liz. I wrote it in the midst of struggle, in an effort to lift myself.
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You’re welcome, V.J. I hope it can serve as a good touchstone for any future struggles.
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That’s exactly what it does! Isn’t that why we write?
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Indeed it is!
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Soft and serenity and survival. Yes. One day at a time too. Well woven poem.
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Thanks Andrea.
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You’re welcome.
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Yes!
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Creative poet
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Thank you
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Wow! Challenging the challenges comes to my mind. Superb piece and thank you for the mention.
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Thanks Eugi.
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Most welcome!
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