There is sorrow
and there are degrees
of sorrow - many more
than seven.
There is the sorrow
of aching regret,
the knife-edge
pain of guilt,
the dolour of despair.
Sorrow and its many shades
of subtle agony - the barbs
of Cupid's darts
turning toxic with rust,
the heart-burn of love
gone sour and bitter.
A nobler sorrow
is the sadness of the heart
at the loss of a loved one,
the whimper of a child
in pain, or the cry
of a wounded animal.
Sometimes sorrow
floods the soul, drowns
all rational thought
and seems unceasing.
Sometimes it lifts
like mist in the sun's warmth
and lights the inner
landscape yet again.
Sometimes life's worthwhile
for days on end, until
a glance in the mirror
reveals otherwise - sorrow
stares back, sad-eyed
and stubbornly insistent.
Author notes
Inspired by Ted Hughes' poem "The Seven Sorrows."
In a list
A contest entry
- Contest: Poem Prompt - "The Seven Sorrows" by Ted Hughes, Part II (By Invitation Only, Please) by Night Hope.
1200 points, ended November 22, 17 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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Thank you for penning this one, Bill. Impressive stuff here, Scribe. 
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I've always thought regret was such a waste of time, Bill, yet we all seem to suffer from its effects, don't we? Indeed, you are one of those who possesses the skill and wisdom to encounter the "nobler sorrows", I believe, Scribe. This is a lovely piece, my Friend. Thank you for entering my contest, Sweetie. Good luck. 
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Many shades of sorrow here - I pause for the man who has known them; this is an authentic voice. I like particularly the ending, the eyes in the mirror.
Best of luck in the contest, Bill.
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where there's sorrow, there was once joy...the man in the mirror needs to reflect beyond the sorrow to where the joy originated. A well thought out poem. An enjoyable read.
Rory
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Sorrow and it's many shades Bill, you capture it well here my friend. The deepest sorrow is the sorrow that meets you eye to eye. Excellent write...mal
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Most of the time I try to avoid looking in that mirror but occasionally it catches me out. I like the way you have taken the poem and made it your own.
All the best in the contest.
Sue
x
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Well penned, Bad Man.
Dez
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yep sorrow , sorrow and more sorrow heaped on (did i mention sorrow) wonderful write, impressive! good luck in the contest!
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Bill
Always after reading one of your poems I seem to stop and reflect back on my life. Now I am that man in the mirror looking at such sorrow.
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