Cross To Bear

Work in progress.

Bright the afternoon's sunlight

illuminating an ancient church

Wedding skirt rays of many a young bride

Stream through shattered windows

Covering the faded red rugs

In kaleidoscopes of stained glass

A man walks slowly down the aisle

Stops before the alter

Eyes no longer searching left nor right 

Dust stirred by his movement

Bathes him in an ethereal glow

He wipes a pew and sits

Bowing his head to cry

Standing unbroken behind the altar

An old rugged cross looks on...

Author's Note

Comments, suggestions, thoughts, all welcome. Thank you!

Reviews

[θεά]

Really liked the description of solitude and the imagery of the Church and ehat significance it has on one's mind. Although the spelling of 'alter' should be corrected to 'altar', the poem is otherwise well-written.

[Karen Redburn]

Appreciate your comment and thank you for catching the typo. Cheers!

[Pete]

indeed we all carry our crosses. wow, what great imagery. tugs at the old heart strings. wonderful sentiment. it's really good ...

[Karen Redburn]

Pete, thank you for the comments and kind review. We all carry them and I believe they can make us a better person in the end (or at least it can). Thanks again, cheers!

[wordman]

beautiful,you painted a lovely image

[Karen Redburn]

Thank you!

[peter Duggan]

Such a wonderful vision of an old church. Such sweet images you leave us with Karen, A very enjoyable read, my friend....Peter

[θεά]

Very well mounted. Joy on one side while mourning on another. That is the beauty of life. Longing, belonging and all that lies in between. Enjoyed the write up.

[Karen Redburn]

Thank you for stopping by and the insightful comment.

[youngpoet98]

This is a very beautiful poem. It's simple, yet powerful.

[Kelly Scheppers]

There was an old church in my neighborhood when I moved here, which was demolished before I was able to get some photos of it. It haunts me to this day, just like the reading of this did. Such a poignant piece, Karen. You did a beautiful job, really!

[Karen Redburn]

Thank you for taking time to review and comment Kelly. I am very happy you enjoyed this and it was able to elicit feelings and memories. Cheers!

[George Coombs]

Beautifully clear and focused writing Karen; I had the feeling of being there and sharing in that precious present moment with the man whohas bowed his head and is crying. A lovely capture of the space and time that can be so uplifting. For me, the concluding two lines seemd to bring everything together so very well

[Karen Redburn]

Thank you for the kind review. I can occasional pull it all together and focus :) Cheers!

[George Coombs]

Your welcome

[David-Tyler]

I felt like I was really there, in that church. I've always wanted to visit an abandoned church worn away with time. It's just so beautiful, even if it is melancholy. It seems like everything gains a status of distinguish in its age. Anyhow, enough of my visions. Your writing was as clear as water, walking me through the visit of a lifetime. Thank you for sharing! Well penned

[Karen Redburn]

Your visions are awesome. They are beautiful places, I agree they gain a certain stature or I might call it an increased reverence in my mind. I am glad it was a clear read and you felt the place I was writing about. Thank you so much for the kind comments. Cheers

[Norman 223]

Your opening lines paint a graphically sad picture of a disused and probably vandalised church. Then you introduce an enigmatic situation that leaves another few stanzas ready to be imagined. Is there to be more..?

[Karen Redburn]

First, thank you for commenting, when someone uses the term "paint" in a review I am truly honored and humble, and having read your work it is an honor receive this review! This is intended as a stand alone left to the reader, but you never know. Thanks again!