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
post construction cleaning Deerfield ..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
1) End PoemWherever you are today- Is where you were... Read More
All is still; all quiet; The world seems to... Read More
Five Poems from Home1) Remembering: Dorothy Parker [Dedicated to the... Read More
I want to get closeI am afraid.Afraid of what... Read More
Phantom of the Rocks[Huancayo, Peru]Night falls deepUpon the traveler!Low, over... Read More
The following two poems, one in English, the other in... Read More
Writing poetry is an art, a way of expression, finding... Read More
The Epic Poem:A Death in Cajamarca, Peru [Atahualpa, in Cajamarca]Advance:... Read More
It's dark, it's cold, its' just six thirty,thoughts of sleep... Read More
Chicken Soup is good for a coldSleep is good for... Read More
All Hail.Is your hospital full of aliens, despite new cleaning... Read More
Footprints to Mantaro Valley (Peru; in English and Spanish)In what... Read More
Have you ever read the lyrics of a Simon and... Read More
The Exit Poems [And Socrates]Iron and FireIron can be... Read More
Isn't that what they say?But what does that mean?There's no... Read More
Way of Life: Rhymes of the IncaPizarro (Spanish conquistador ((1525))The... Read More
Thank youDedicated to soldiers and their loved onesFor those who... Read More
JOINEDHeart beat of man pounding - yet unheard joined... Read More
LIFE IS A FANTASY!A pink-eyed rabbit, fuzzy whiteHops in bedrooms... Read More
Part One Midget HistoryI am thirty-six inches tall, that is... Read More
YOU MIGHT THINK I AM STRONGI THINK YOU GOT IT... Read More
Daybreak at Pikes Creek [Summer of 2005]Daybreak by Lake Superior... Read More
There are many times I set up barriers and walls,... Read More
Airbnb cleaning service Bannockburn ..Writing poetry is an art, a way of expression, finding... Read More
the disease of extremism is infectious-; whoever cannot think of... Read More
Have you ever thought about how nice it would be... Read More
Time goes by to quickly to hold your feelings inside... Read More
In Poetry: Meaning of WordsWhen I write poetry, I check... Read More
In the Mountains of Haiti(In the City)-July is a hot... Read More
Charlotte Bronte (1816 ?1855) Novelist and Poet.Charlotte was the daughter... Read More
Frog SummerSummer grows hot, for the New-blooded frogs; The bugs... Read More
Atahualpa's Game [Peruvian]Sometimes, it's not wise To share your wisdom... Read More
1) Shadows of the Andes [or: Song to the Andes]I... Read More
Advance: in Mr. Siluk's poetry one finds symbolist values, sensuous... Read More
I never thought I would have to say GOODBYE to... Read More
When I am climbing up, you are stepping down. When... Read More
Sorry would be a start.Though you cant take back your... Read More
Mother's Day Poetry,I'm Sorry Mom!I'm sorry for the troubles ... Read More
AFRICA (to africans in diaspora)africa here i come, africa africa... Read More
Key Largo:The fans turn lazily in front of the doorThey... Read More
Little girl from HuancayoDo you really, really know? Just how... Read More
Our home was warm in the shade of the trees... Read More
[As Told by the Last] King: it was in the... Read More
How wonderfully sweet to be a dweller dwelling... Read More
Five Poems from Home1) Remembering: Dorothy Parker [Dedicated to the... Read More
Wars, air of AmbiguityDedicated to 1st. Lt. Laura Walker (From... Read More
Here are three more poems by the author, Dennis Siluk,... Read More
Four Poems: Katrina's PathwayHarvest of Apoplectic Horses ((Dedicated to: Katrina))... Read More
Poetry |