Saturday, January 14, 2012

Praying to an Unhearing God












Each day the resolution
To not make a spectacle;
In vain, another bargain
with  God

On the surface, such calm
Until approaching the nursery
When all crisp nonchalance flees

Then, kneeling - practically
Before the broad chapel door
Hushes to a close
Before a chance to contemplate

The depth of despair
Fully takes hold
Considering the infant's skin—
the pitifully dotted skin—

Trying just to mindlessly pray
Not to contemplate
As always - if the disease
had been laying dormant
before birth

The mind's reel
Refuses to stop unspooling
Runs relentlessly on and on ...

S.E.Ingraham©


13 comments:

  1. A tone of tenderness marks the turmoil and despair.

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  2. You managed to work these words into a poem of great compassion as well as not so hopeful prayerfulness. Well worded.

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  3. If I were the infant lying there, I would know the power of your praying...maybe not in a conscious way...but I would know.


    A Baker’s Dozen

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  4. Oh Sharon - Leave it to you to bring tears of despair and yet hopeful compassion to a bright Sunday morning, Lovingly and lovely.... Sigh....

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  5. "In vain, another bargain
    with God"
    That's beautifully crafted.
    (I hope this is an exercise, and not a personal reality. It certainly is a Truth)

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  6. Incredibly powerful in sadness and beauty, Sharon.

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  7. Thanks to all of you for your kind, heartfelt comments; the poem grows out of that scary "what if" place that I think all parents and grandparents harbour but don't like to address (I don't either but sometimes the muse wants what the muse wants...)

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  8. Beautifully crafted, Sharon. In all its sadness.

    Pamela

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  9. You wove the wordle words into something powerful and emotive. (So glad to read that it isn't based on your reality.)

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  10. What a sad and heart-rending poem, Sharon. A friend recently lost her first child to stillbirth, and although that wasn't the subject of your poem, it's what came to mind as I read this.

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  11. Thank you Pamela, Susannah and Traci - it's wonderful when other poets "get" your work and tell you so ...

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  12. Sharon, your lovely, sorrowful poem drew me in and held me right to the last word. I love this particular phrase, "When all crisp nonchalance flees" - wonderful wording! And your last stanza is excellent; how true. Thank you for commenting on my blog - and if you can't make the challenge deadline but want to do it, I will just save your gift until you get back from holiday and can submit a poem! (Just remind me, lol) :) I'm now following your blog, and look forward to reading more of your work. ~ Julie

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