To anchor them, with a useful knock.
Left in the box, tacks jangle together
Sharp, pointy, spilling out without form or purpose.
But the tack taken from that box,
Attacked by a hammer’s quick smack
Can fasten, repair, reinforce and support.
Life’s sorrows are like tacks in the box.
Kept jangling together deep in the box of the heart
Sorrows' sharp pointed ends slowly siege the soul.
But sorrows shared with others who care
Are struck by the force of the hammer of prayer
Prayer and concern are the useful knocks
That fasten, repair, reinforce and support the fragmented soul.
wonderful...love the metaphor...and so true...and dont we all need a little fixing up at times...
ReplyDeletePat
ReplyDeleteYou may have been momentarily stumped but you were not without a deep appreciation for life's sense of grief and feeling the endlessness of the divine's compassion.
Joanny
Very well thought out analogy Pat.
ReplyDeleteLove the shape and balance of this piece.
I love the "hammer of prayer".
ReplyDelete"But sorrows shared with others who care
ReplyDeleteAre struck by the force of the hammer of prayer"
I don't have words. This was simply amazing and lovely!!
Yes! Wonderful, Pat.
ReplyDeletePrayers and concern go a long way. A wonderful piece.
ReplyDeleteThe allegory of the nails -- nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThat was was really great you did a wonderful job with that one.
ReplyDeleteThis was beautiful .. I can tell by your writing you have a beautiful soul! Lovely analogy indeed!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant, thoroughly enjoyed! Thanks!
ReplyDeletethis was very very nice
ReplyDeleteyou reveal a wonderful heart
Dear Pat: Love the contrast between joy and sorrow; most profound. The need for prayer to bridge the gap between these contrasting worlds. Beautiful prose!
ReplyDeleteYou put the two thoughts together beautifully!
ReplyDeleteTo all the commentors, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I am amazed that this was so accepted, as I said, I was stumped....it has been many years since I have even attempted poetic prose!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great anology. I really enjoyed reading this. laurie
ReplyDeleteIn a message dated 3/22/2010 7:41:28 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, pmorrison@acegroup.cc writes:
ReplyDelete[http://magpietales.blogspot.com/2010/03/mag-6.html]
Pat, I enjoyed the poetic analog. Not sure of the assignment, but apparently you were to "make a box of tacks" speak, so to speak. I'll check out the Magpie Tales when I get back from the church today and see what else is going on. Now this will be on my mind, while I sew on the quilt binding later.