We were exiled from the Garden of Eden.
Its sinless wonders nevermore to regain.
So every man on life's toilsome journey,
Must enter the valley of pain.
We don't enter because of desire
And it's certainly not a voluntary fare.
But, rather, it's a matter of destiny
Compelling and forcing us there.
Eden's garden; its beauty so magnificent,
Can't be reclaimed; it is a lost paradise.
Trees of knowledge and life gone forever,
We are now paying consequences price.
The valley of pain is bleak and lonely,
And all heartache must be suffered alone.
The petty and trite ceases to matter.
When facing hurt as never before known.
In pain's valley, no restaurants exist.
Shopping malls can't be found anywhere.
There's no joy to be had from entertainment.
There are no parks, for it is no picnic there.
There are no banks in the valley of pain,
No theaters, no lounges, no beach.
In this valley, we have no lofty aspirations,
Surviving the only goal we hope to reach.
Pain's valley in not a poor man's haven;
We'll find no comfort, or ease or rest.
Nor will we encounter family or friends
For this valley is one's own personal test.
Bitter anguish is experienced in this valley,
A site of conflict on a titanic scale.
A place of failing and spiritual torture,
Of deficiency and interminable travail.
When we enter the valley of pain,
We no longer worry about unpaid bills.
We don't fret about outstanding car notes,
We don't care about acquiring new skills.
When we enter the valley of pain,
We don't dabble in vain vanity.
For this valley inevitably drives us,
To the very brink of human sanity.
When we enter the valley of pain
Family prayer just will not do.
Praying in the church is insufficient,
And social prayer is inadequate too.
We must find our own secret hideaway
Close the door to the world and all its strife.
We must surrender ourselves to our God
And let Him work a miracle in our life.
Saundra L. Washington is the author of two coffee table books: "Negative Disturbances, Homilies that Teach," and the book from which this poem is taken, "Room Beneath the Snow, Poems that Preach." She can be contacted at: http://www.clergyservices4u.org
detailed home cleaning Lake Forest ..During interviews and general conversations with the public,one of the... Read More
YOU MIGHT THINK I AM STRONGI THINK YOU GOT IT... Read More
Shakespeare's sonnets require time and effort to appreciate. Understanding the... Read More
All is still; all quiet; The world seems to... Read More
You cannot make someone love you. All you can do... Read More
There are many times I set up barriers and walls,... Read More
Rhymes of an Ordnance Man [Vietnam War: 1971]An eleven part... Read More
Happy, Sad, Mad and Glad, Moved in down the streetCautious... Read More
Do you ever stare at the paper, waiting for poetic... Read More
You speak simple, completley understandable justifications I respect them, respect... Read More
In the quiet of the arctic night- In its deep... Read More
I never met a man, who could shake my hand,... Read More
A Poem - By Lorraine KemberIt was a day like... Read More
I can see the cerulean blue of the skiesOr the... Read More
#25The King and Delka [Split Mawkishness-on Moiromma /Part V]Sickly SentimentalityI... Read More
The Torrents of HellHell's furnace- Likened to a chimney Vomits... Read More
You've been writing poetry since that first assignment in your... Read More
Is poetry too complicated for the average reader? Is it... Read More
the disease of extremism is infectious-; whoever cannot think of... Read More
Mother's Day Poetry,I'm Sorry Mom!I'm sorry for the troubles ... Read More
Since Mohamed Ali?then Cassius Clay?announced that he had written "The... Read More
Let's follow the poet to his Hell and heaven! Count... Read More
Ed Gallagher Dec. 11, 1907 - Sept. 5, 2004This poem... Read More
Ole Bulky JeepsThrough late summer's heat These bulky shaped jeeps... Read More
Isn't that what they say?But what does that mean?There's no... Read More
trusted cleaning company Des Plaines ..One of the most important poets of the post-war period,... Read More
War bombs may explode demolishing man and land. Hurricanes may... Read More
the disease of extremism is infectious-; whoever cannot think of... Read More
In early fall, in Minnesota, the rain falls, falls, In... Read More
I never thought I would have to say GOODBYE to... Read More
Stone Beds [Pompeii's surge]Advance: after the great eruption of Pompeii's... Read More
BoyhoodOh me! Thy glorious days have flown! I mealy noticed,... Read More
I AM SO GRATEFUL for simpler times. Stores were closed... Read More
English VersionAnd the Death God said: "Let it rise to... Read More
We were exiled from the Garden of Eden. Its... Read More
When I hear your voice inside my head it makes... Read More
What can I do to keep this world in its... Read More
I'm not well. Can't you tell? Kinda low, so,... Read More
Poetry is more than just rhyming and prose that is... Read More
Take some time to stop and look at nature. Pick... Read More
I can see the cerulean blue of the skiesOr the... Read More
Is poetry too complicated for the average reader? Is it... Read More
Part oneI see them in the skies I hear them... Read More
Key Largo:The fans turn lazily in front of the doorThey... Read More
Do not be afraid to shine. This world needs what... Read More
I WANTED TO SAY IT WITH A BUNCH OF FLOWERS... Read More
Says Mr. Dennis Siluk, when asked to review his poetry... Read More
How wonderfully sweet to be a dweller dwelling... Read More
Iquitos & the Amazon Part OneIt was December 2, l959,... Read More
Sorry would be a start.Though you cant take back your... Read More
Poetry |