Where the Light Finds Me
A poem of grief, shift, and sun. For the Light Breaks Water Challenge.
For what feels like an age and more
since death came knocking at my door
dark clouds encroached and enshrouded
my heart and soul, hope was sullied
-
The ache in my heart, the constant ache
reminds me about you, without a break
I wonder how long this ache can live
I know... something has to give
-
Old adage of darkness and light, remembered
solace can be found in perspective rendered
differently from the way I have done
as I feel the warmth of a new sun
-
Casting the start of a new day on my skin
I... I pay no heed to the loud outside din—
I press on forward now with hope, not backward
understanding that a new day's its own reward
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: I decided to take a non-literal approach to the challenge for my first entry. This piece is about the weight of grief — something we all carry, and something I’ve felt deeply in recent years. It’s about what it means to sit in the dark for a long time, and then feel the light of a new sun finally break through. That quiet turning point — not a victory, but a reminder: you’re still here. Still living.
Here is another of my current Summer Writing Series entries:
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
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Comments (23)
A reminder that no matter the weight, no matter the pain, we still have the agency to decide what we do in these moments of greatest trial.
Well penned, sir! Catching up here, really far behind in my reading.
This is a needed message of hope and a reminder to "carpe diem."
A lot of great lines in this one, Paul, and you rhymed throughout as well. I love how you transitioned from darkness to light with the subtle ‘perspective rendered differently,’ a truly lovely line. It nicely matches the paradigm change the challenge prompt suggests - that moment of light that changes everything. Excellent entry to the challenge! Good luck!
I feel this one deeply. just where light breaks water for me.
Beautifully optimistic Paul!
I prefer the non-literal approach to this one and you've done a great job with this one. A real contender here. I'm still sorting mine out.
I like your take on the challenge, Paul, and this part was a heavy hitter for me: "I wonder how long this ache can live; I know... something has to give." This reminds me of personal struggles and finding a way out.
Oh, Paul, now this is heavy. Great poem
Non-literal was a spectacular route to take. I love this, Paul! A beautiful ray of hope in a new beginning! Really lovely rhyme work too!
That it is, Paul. Continued blessings & prayers.
indeed. Every new day is it's own reward. Love that. Well done, buddy. I hope you're doing well.
I like the universality of this. Well done.
I think your interpretation of the prompt works really well ☺
Great job, Paul and it rhymes so you have me.😉😉
This was so positive and extremely powerful. Reminded me of a phoenix rising from it's ashes. Loved your poem! 🍩🥐
You have found your way of surviving. Good job.
Excellent take on the challenge… lovely rhythm and rhyme. I especially like: “Old adage of darkness and light, remembered solace can be found in perspective rendered differently from the way I have done as I feel the warmth of a new sun” Praying for you in your time of grief.
I hope these past days have been kind to you, Paul. This poem is certainly a personal one, and I hope the light will always be strong enough to shun the din and bring hope. To appropriately quote the lovable Rommi: well-wrought, Sir!
I thought this was excellent Paul - feeling the warmth of a new sun. Sometimes that's all you can do isn't it.... just keep plodding on until things get better. Wishing you all the best and good luck in the challenge.
This is so cathartic and deeply relatable. Love how you ended the poem: "I press on forward now with hope, not backward understanding that a new day's its own reward" With recent events, like you, I'm realizing this truth more and more. <3 Beautiful work, Paul!!
Wonderful perspective :) And I just loved these lines, "solace can be found in perspective rendered/differently from the way I have done/as I feel the warmth of a new sun". I read them again and again :)
Very poetic. I love the encouraging ending