Author Suzanne Burke posts a new writing prompt in the form of an image each week and the responses are absolutely amazing!
Each week she features an image and invites you to write a Flash Fiction or Non-Fiction piece inspired by that image in any format and genre of your choosing. Maximum word count: 750 words.
This is my contribution. I want to give you a little background on this poem. When my late husband was dealing with such a difficult physical decline, during one of the many hospital stays, he developed pneumonia and I feared he might not live until morning. I held vigil throughout that long night and this poem came to me. I remember searching for pen and paper to get it down, and I remember the tears that fell as I scribbled it. I felt that I had to give him permission to let go and I did it through this poem. He lived for a few more weeks after this incident and did recover from the pneumonia.
I cannot tell you the reason this image invoked this memory, but it did, so I am sharing.
Surrender
There is no shame in surrender when it is time
Like General Lee, you’ve known when to lay low
and when to climb
I’ve watched you suffer for so many years
Your life seemed destined to one of pain and of tears
Yet you fought on – the valiant soldier in fierce battle
You sang your song, rode tall in the saddle
You’ve now come down to the last battle call
You’ll hang up your sword, tired and weary you’ll fall
But know that you’ve left many good marks behind
While you learned how to love and how to be kind
Taught lessons to all who shared your many paths
That will be remembered long after you have passed
There is no shame in surrender when it is time
Excerpt from ‘TIL DEATH DO US PART
I hope you enjoyed this and that you’ll check out Soooz’s blog and participate in the prompts as you can.
Thank you!
That was so beautiful, Jan. I can picture you at his bedside, scribbling this down with free-flowing tears. Thanks for sharing this with us. 🙂
Thank you, Yvette, for your kind words. Hugs!
I read Flower and Stone but haven’t read Til Death Do Us Part. Your love story with your husband Rick is heartwarming and touching, Jan. Thank you for sharing this excerpt. <3
Thank you, Miriam. If you choose to read ‘Til Death Do Us Part, I do hope you enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by!
I admired your commitment to Rick. I understand that you waited for him for 16 years?
Reblogged this on Art by Rob Goldstein and commented:
poetry from Jan Sikes
This is so beautiful, Jan.
Thank you, Rob! And thank you for the reblog!
My pleasure, Jan.
This brings me to tears everytime I read this, Jan. So beautiful.
Thank you for your kind words, Denise!
Jan, this beautiful poem had me in tears, my friend. The love you both shared was everlasting. Thank you so much for sharing this memory with us today. I have just posted it on the site. ❤
Thank you, Soooz, for putting up the prompt! It was funny how the image prompted this memory.
This is a beautiful tribute to your late husband, Jan.
Thank you, Robbie. I appreciate you stopping by!
Absolutely beautiful, Jan. A wonderful tribute to Rick.
Thank you, Joan!
I can feel your pain and pride in equal measure, Jan. A loving tribute to your husband <3
Thank you, Jacquie. It’s a special thing when our emotions can be expressed in written words. I appreciate your comment!
Beautiful poem, Jan and it speaks to the unselfish wish for a loved one to be at peace.
Thank you, John. I appreciate your comment!
A beautiful tribute to Rick, Jan.
Thank you, Mark!
I remember that scene and poem from ‘Til Death Do Us Part. It was such an emotional moment. Reading this and knowing what you were feeling and experiencing at the time makes this so utterly moving. It’s beautiful writing, Jan, and it speaks of your soulful love for Rick. Sending you hugs, my friend!
Thank you, Mae. That was one of the hardest scenes to write in ‘Til Death Do Us Part, but it was also cleansing and therapeutic. It’s funny what will trigger a memory. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Thank you, Jan, for sharing that difficult but poignant moment about your family journey, a poem even more about you than your husband. Were I young, I might see in that image ambition, confidence, a horse to spare, maybe for another unfound soul; but now having been through it myself too many times, I see returning home with the empty saddle of a loved one lost. I think sometimes I am still leading the riderless horse everywhere I go. Maybe you, too?
I had to think about it for a minute, Stephen, but yes, I am still leading that riderless horse everywhere I go. I think in modern-day language, we call it baggage. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Wow! Jan, that was beautiful and quite emotionally charged. We often do not put surrender and courage together.
Thank you, Karen. I appreciate your comment. To me, it takes great courage sometimes to surrender and let go.
Beautiful, Jan. ❤ Surrendering when we’ve given our all is the greatest act of courage — and love.
I agree, Gwen. I don’t know what it will be like for me when that moment comes, but I hope I can find the courage to surrender! Thanks for stopping by!