enter these hallowed chambers
light a candle of pure hope
to push back the darkness of despair
press your hands together
grasping onto the frayed fibers of your faith
kneeling in the silence of your expectations
offer up your prayers
before the altar of tomorrow
but
not even prayers
said from the heart
nor wishes
cast with golden coins
into the fountain of belief
can bring life
to a stubborn soul
who sees the world’s sadness
as too much to bear
and so stays
within its shell
or dies before the dawn
as if to say
i’ve changed my mind
so cry
if you must
but understand
this
not all that is good
is born
Read Between the Minds 
like the words of children who point and say, that man has no legs, this piece holds such sad detachment and truth,
that it actually hurts to read it and one must grieve or look away and pretend the man isn’t there
or dies before dawn;
chooses not to be born!
Profound poem, palpable sadness in your words.
too gentle
for all of us
is it a choice our soul makes
to venture into this world,
innocent and unprotected into this life?
sadness and violence
joy and love
tear in opposite directions
weakening, healing, scarring,
and tearing all over again
for our entire stay
perhaps there are no choices offered
perhaps some souls are simply
too frail, too gentle
to survive even the first breath
Good god! This was amazing…
“not all that is good
is born”
This is true to the core! Sometimes, you just have it! And sometimes, you’ve got to make yourself have it!
Just complaining gets you nowhere… nor does just praying.
A brilliant poem, which reinforce in one, that which had gone into hiding… self-esteem and confidence!
This is what most people fail to understand… that you may be infinitely more happy in your shell of sadness and coins never to be cast into wishing fountains than out there in their world of fake smiles, fake consciousness, fake beliefs, fake fakeness. Not all that is good is born… how very true. “What beast, its hour come round at least, slouches towards Bethlehem to be born.” Recalls Yeats, don’t you think? 😉
So well done…slpmartin
(Not like steak)
Where-ever we go,there we are,
Peace to you,
Laz
There seems to be much room for interpretation of those last lines “not all that is good is born”…. Would you mind sharing what you had in mind in writing those lines? A beautiful, heart-touching poem, this. Heartspell
Very sad but I like it!
Good job Charlie,
I am going to New York for 2 days I have been busy lately, sorry for my silence!
Mirella
Wow. Your poetry often leaves me speechless. It also often tricks me at the end. Reading your words is like exercise for the brain. Thanks.
Poignant Charles. Wonder how many would retreat to rebirth after experiencing some of the the world’s harshness
amazing any of us cope
To see the goodness in everyone, no matter their state of “faith” or their ability to blossom, is a hard choice, that so many who do light candles or press their hands together or toss coins in the well, are closed to commit to.
Great poem and point. Thank you.
I was moved by:
“not even prayers
said from the heart
nor wishes
cast with golden coins
into the fountain of belief
can bring life
to a stubborn soul
who sees the world’s sadness”
I can feel the sadness through these words and the truth it reveals.
This poem both tragically sad and hauntingly beautiful may mean something different for me than your intented message – but has profoundly touched me.
I talked with my brother about these “stubborn souls” today… it’s almost like you brought together the two sides of our argument in your poem… full of insight, your work!
sad and moving poem!
Touching poem. It hurts to see moments of my life in print. How hard the hands were pressed together, how safer it felt inside the shell…but then, I’m trying hard to give life to what is good.
I love the photo!
As always another moving piece. Being new to the site I continue to be astounded by all the great thought-provoking writing going on here
this is really chilling.
I really admire your words
Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to comment…I appreciate it very much.