Poetry is Enduring and Keeps Giving Long After It’s Been Written

We’ve all heard the expression that nothing hurts as much as words, but words also have the power to heal.

When I came across the file folder holding the the poems I’d written almost 30 years ago, I asked myself why I’d stopped writing poetry. Of course, I was involved in writing curriculum at the time as well as teaching, and later I got into writing novels, but it occurred to me that poems have an eternal quality about them. They mean something different to everyone based on their life experiences. I recall telling my students that the only one who truly knows the meaning and context of a poem is the author. I believed it then, and I believe that now.

Sometimes, life had more speedbumps and potholes than smooth roads, and those are the times when we need comfort and understanding. I may be struggling with a body determined to put me on the sidelines, but others are struggling with emotional pain. I can take a pill to soothe mine; there are no pills to soothe theirs.

I wrote “I’m Always There for You” in 1996. Its message is just as relevant today as it was then, and while the people may change, the sentiment remains.

At times like these, when everything seems to be going

Wrong, I long to be able to hold you close and help

Ease your pain. I know that comforting words really

Don’t seem to be the answer now, but just remember,

I’m always there for you.

It’s easy for me to say that tomorrow is another day.

How can I possibly believe such words can take away

The ache of a broken heart, the loneliness of a crushed

Spirit, the fear of the future? But please remember,

I’m always there for you.

I can’t give you all the answers, I can’t even give you all the

Questions, but trust in me, and I can help you search

For solutions that are true and lasting. I want to ease

Your sorrow, see you safely through this time, but please remember,

I’m always there for you.

And when the storm is over, and the sun appears anew,

I’ll be there to share your joy and laughter as the sad memories

Fade, replaced by good ones meant to be cherished and endure;

And then, dear friend, you will know at last that

I will always be there for you.

Have a great weekend and while we’re expecting more rain, someone’s enjoying a nice sunny summer day!