I.
her shoulders slumped
as if she had been a water-bearer,
in service of some army in the world
where water was scarce
that kind of heaviness
II.
air hanging hard on lines and limbs
just before a downpour
or a wild wind, or
sound of an owl, mourning doves,
everything else stunned silent but those
that kind of heaviness
III.
a woman , in China, seeing a five story building
bury her only allowed baby
a paraplegic, holding a crossbeam
off his frozen legs
his wife, holding a shivering spoon of gruel
to his lips for eleven days
that kind of heaviness
IV.
let us not be unconscious
of how heavy we are on this earth
or how our little bit of service,
compassion and care might be begged to be miraculous
when she sags under the weight of
that kind of heaviness
Author notes
Xiao Zhihu, 80, had been kept alive by his wife, who had been able to provide him with food and water during his long incarceration.
In a list
A contest entry
- Picture Inspiration VII by Samplette.
1000 points, ended June 7, 2008, 15 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
-
I can see your picture in your write. It is a very sad situation for sure. A powerful write. Thank you for entering.
Sam
-
WOW!!!!!
This is fantastic writing Carol!
-
"let us not be unconscious
of how heavy we are on this earth"
Stunning work, my dear Friend. How very aware you are & you share its shimmering with us all, so generously. Good luck in the contest, Sweetie. I know you embody this woman & so many more. 
Wanda
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