You Would Not Weep Alone

Laugh, and the world laughs with you,

Weep, and you weep alone

Is not always quite what it seems, for the light

And darkness share more than is shown.

 

Smile, and the sun would shimmer,

Sulk, and the moon would mourn,

Whilst the stars would sway to convey it’s ok 

 To now and then be forlorn.

 

Pleasure entices the public,

But sorrow as well grabs the eye.

A person may give so another might live,

For none would desire they die.

 

The heart is the hearth of your haven,

The voice is the vent of your tone.

So laugh, and they leap with a jubilant cheep,

Though weep, and they comfort your zone.

For sorrow, like cheer, casts its charm far and near

So you would not weep alone.

-EDP

Reviews

[lakinbob]

Says a fair bit more than the original poem this is based on, and says it well. That third stanza really grabs the attention.

[emipoemi]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading.

[Beccy]

I prefer your take, always thought 'Solitude,' was a stilted and downbeat poem.

Happiness and sadness; you can't know one without the other.

Beccy.

[emipoemi]

a number of others feel the same.....yet no one really comes to "comfort my zone" when I'm down as they do when any other expresses sorrow, and I find that a little disconcerting. Glad you enjoyed it, though. Thanks for reading.

[H L Rose]

Love the idea of a poem that explores a phrase like this. Contradicting some commonly held thought that is only held because it sounds nice, is always something I'll get behind.

It's enticing and of course has that elegant tone that your poetry always conveys. It pulls at you emotions like poetry should.

Alliteration is one of my favorite things and the alliteration in stanzas two and four is beautiful.

The imagery in stanza two is unique and brings on that elegant feel that your word choice in line 1 of the last stanza also conveys.

The amount of rhyme in this poem is just right. Too much and it would be too overwhelming but it's got a perfect amount. The internal rhyme in line 3 of the last stanza and carried into line 4 and then the internal rhymes in the last couple lines, are nicely placed to connect the positive and negative sentiments and set it up for the right tone in the end.

Thoroughly enjoyed!

[emipoemi]

Your comments make me wonder whether you're aware that this is actually a poem commenting on the legitimacy of the Ella Wheeler Wilcox poem that started that phrase: "laugh and the world laughs with you....." Look up that poem, if it's new to you and you would see more about what I'm doing with that poem ;)

but thank you so much for reading. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[H L Rose]

You have enlightened me. I''m understanding your poem in a new light and have been introduced to a beautiful poem I have never read before. Thanks!

[emipoemi]

I live to enlighten. Again, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading.

[Li]

With every sentence it goes deeper and takes on sort of a ride...amazing! Well done!

[emipoemi]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[CD Campbell]

I loved the internal rhymes in every third line. Attention to detail-check! Enjoyed this, Emi. There is something very deep to this one, but the jaunty nature of it keeps you plowing along.....

[emipoemi]

that's how I roll..... thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Emily]

Wow ~ I love the second verse, that’s a very pretty way of putting it, relating emotions to the world around us is one of my favourite things to do. Well done in writing such a powerful poem ~

[emipoemi]

Thank you! I just jot down whatever the things that inspire me most and let them take me for a ride. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Chris Shaw]

Very relatable lines. I am reminded of all the comedians who make us laugh till we hurt and yet they have such tragically sad lives themselves. Excellent poem

Chris

[emipoemi]

Thank you so much. All true artist deep down live such sad lives. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Chris Shaw]

I did and thank you :)

[serendipity]

The theme is beautiful! I am sure that many can relate to this to poem that you have so effectively written. The imagery was gorgeous. The poem was well conjured.

[emipoemi]

Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it.

[serendipity]

I was hoping that you could review my recent too. It would really help me improve my writing. Thanks for ur time.

[emipoemi]

Patience. Gotta settle a few things, and then I'll have a look at your tale. In time.

[Lyanth]

I always weep alone, but it is a choice. No one is ever truly alone for there will always be someone who cares. It is a decision to look for and find them or not. Well done, flows smoothly. I like it, I like your perspective and original take on the quote. Thank you for sharing

[emipoemi]

Thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Lyanth]

Have a great day/night.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I do like the theme in this...and wish this were true more often. So many love to be with us during the high times, but when we really need that friend when things take a downturn, they seem to disappear.
I think here, we don't weep alone...too many fellow poets who understand the pain...
j.

[emipoemi]

this was relatively inspired by the attention a fellow artist was getting for having sunk into a funk. And I do believe in the good in people to come to the aid of those in need when they understand that they are indeed in need. Thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it.