Inspired by Frans Stiene’s wonderful poem Digging for Truth – A Glimmer of Hope

This was a response to the poem from a writing class I am attending. Really made me think about looking at the words used by another writer and what they mean for me in my current context. I love that poetry can be interpreted in so many different ways and that the words chosen can be used to convey an alternative point of view.

Digging for Hope – A Glimmer of Truth

Battening the hatches is futile

This storm in the mind is a feature of the season.

Learn to live with the fist of turmoil that drags, shakes and pulls.

The hope of a calmer season, or that the storm will abate forever, unrealistic.

The glimmer that eludes me cannot be found and held indefinitely

The vigilance required to endure the onslaught of each subsequent storm exhausting

Learning to sleep through every screaming squall to dig deep another day.

Awakening to peace, sunlight though a window, the clouds departing

Deep rest from the tiring storm in my mind, a glimmer of hope that it will not return

Nothing is there for now, but sunny days don’t last

Naked vulnerability seems naive in storm season

So dig until you are tired, a wild, dirty excavation.

Create a safe, dark place to weather the inevitable return

Line it with soft moss then let go and close your eyes.

Care not whether the sun shines in all its glory or if it is bitter night

Dug in deep underneath the soil you are left with the truth

Warm light deep inside

And everything else is falling away.