Monday, June 20, 2016

A Survivor's Credo


(and nature’s echo)


In spite of adversity, I will be
lavishly happy.

I won’t
bear the shame not mine.

I will not
punish myself
for the ugliness of another.

And, I will see
the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.


sunshine on wildflowers,
creek beds rippling coolly—
a doe bends, sips
                       
she sighs heavily, light
with the headiness
of goodness after rain


© 2016 Jennifer Wagner

15 comments:

Buddah Moskowitz said...

This is (almost) defiantly healthy. In rare moments, these are the thoughts I have - far from cynicism, far from irony. I loved this and of course, send my respectful admiration.

Grace said...

Love the echoes of the survivor and nature specially the goodness after the rain.

Janet Martin said...

I love it! the lightness that follows as she lets go of the heaviness! beautiful!

Wendy Bourke said...

This is a wonderful, life-affirming piece. The succinctness of the credo is really effective - for me: a powerful incantation, to be summoned, going forth.

The echoed haiku sequence is really lovely - and, I thought, an inspired form that lends a transcendent aspect to the process of surviving and moving forward ... head held high.

Together: an insightful and empowering work.

Magyar said...

Marvelous Jen_!
__I've "stolen" some of your words, but here they will stay. _m

wildflowers
this cool creek ripples
a doe bends
*
she sighs
with lightened thoughts
a gift of rain

Fireblossom said...

"I will not
punish myself
for the ugliness of another."

I work toward this every day.

Tank said...

What an encouraging poem - I want to be lavishly happy!

Margaret said...

Really lovely and refreshing.

Jody Lee Collins said...

we WILL see the goodness of the Lord, when we're looking. beautiful poem, Jen.

janetld said...

I need to recite your words everyday. A beautiful piece. Thank you!

brudberg said...

So beautiful.. when nature comes back to us... feeding.

ayala said...

Strong sentiment. I love it, Jen.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

This is beautifully inspiring...

Wishing you a great weekend :)

Sandra Cox said...

Very moving. I especially love how nature plays into the emotions.

grapeling said...

I'll see the nature, even if my eyes are not attuned to the lordly...

and hope we all survive ~