This publication is the exclusive property of cj Schlottman, and is protected under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this blog may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, cj Schlottman. All rights reserved.

Please Visit My Other Blogs!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Chalice of Hope

11/26/10

Give Thanks


Today is Friday, which means it is Six Word Fridays at Melissa’s Making Things Up. To learn how it all works, visit her Six Word Fridays info page.

This week’s prompt, “Give Thanks,” is a hard one for me this Thanksgiving season. I almost skipped it altogether. My depression, after lurking beneath the surface for a couple of months, has manifested itself in a great sadness in me. To illustrate, here is a link to my last post, Cupcakes.

It is hard for me to be grateful when I am so bogged down in my heart and my spirit and my soul. However, this morning, I read a post by Christine over at Hope Despite Depression in which she states that she is grateful for her depression. I am not grateful for this black cloud, but Christie inspired me to search my soul for reasons to be grateful.

So here goes.


Chalice of Hope

A blue sky through a veil
of tears still lights the earth
and sea, creates a backdrop
across which birds soar and butterflies
flit from flower to flower, dancing
in the wind on their rounds.

Sad dog eyes, soft pawings of
concern still carry utter belief in me
soothe my wounds, stop the bleeding.

A tear stained face can still
reflect hope of climbing from the
pit into light, escaping the chill
of frozen hopes into warm sunshine.

A fractured heart holds the possibiity
of mending, pieces melding once more
to weld it, cracked and crooked,
into a chalice filled with hope.


© cj Schlottman

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this glimpse into your heart.
I don't claim to know your pain, but having recently lost my mother, I do understand the feeling of not wanting to deal with these festive occasions.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

You've transformed your pain into a very beautiful piece of art here. It's really lovely.
xoRobyn

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful poem! I absolutely loved it - and knowing that I was able to help in some small way at least - for you to ponder life's blessings - means a lot.. You are so much stronger than you think you are right now - and as time passes you WILL begin to realize just how strong you are :)

melissa said...

hope reflected, the possibility of healing
your perspective is beautiful and wise

(and now I feel rather ridiculous for just suggesting via email that you enjoy the rest of your weekend-- I apologize, and I pray that this darkness will lift for you very soon.)

Molly @ Postcards from a Peaceful Divorce said...

I admire your attempt to crawl out of your darkness and reach for the light. Hold onto your chalice!
xo-Molly

Susan Anderson said...

Really nice, CJ. I can only imagine how difficult the holidays must be.

Hugs to you.

Anonymous said...

You have created something beautifully amazing out of the depths of true suffering. I'm impressed. You touched my heart, which is also walking in the darkness these days, thanks!!!!

ayala said...

Beautiful! Touching!