The Echoes poetry competition to celebrate Write Out Loud's 20th anniversary is now open.  Judged by Neil Astley.

Competition closes in 7 days, 21 hours. Get details and Enter.

hardship (Remove filter)

Recent Comments

Mike McPeek on Running With Dogs
11 hours ago

David RL Moore on Aubade-esque
12 hours ago

Graham Sherwood on Aubade-esque
12 hours ago

David RL Moore on Aubade-esque
12 hours ago

David RL Moore on liberty
12 hours ago

Landi Cruz on liberty
13 hours ago

David RL Moore on Aubade-esque
17 hours ago

David RL Moore on liberty
18 hours ago

AirlogRigsMaria on Psycho
21 hours ago

Simon Zonenblick on Snail Shells - Similes
1 day ago

Flame-Licked Heels

I’ve been working on

Coming back from

The dead

Realising reality

Living in this world

Becoming me

I don’t have to know who I am

But I must know that I am

I am, I am, I am

I don’t have to know what I am

To deserve to be

I’m working on being,

Just being

Because I’ve been existing

Mindless, automatic, numb

Best autopilot, me

Coming back from the dead

...

Read and leave comments (3)

🌷(5) 

dead   emotionless   feel   reborn   resurrection   spirit   growth   self work   hardship   inspire   optimism   hope   future   choice   empower   power   decisions   take control   manifest   connect   vibration   live   enjoy   be   become   change   transform   journey   exciting

Trying Times

Getting through the day can be a challenge,

And often is an uphill struggle.

So I sometimes wonder why I go on each day,

And never find the answer to this puzzle.

 

Too oft life does not go my way

And seems to me to be unfair,

And it is when I hold my hopes up highest

That they crash down into despair.

 

This world that can be cruel and strange

But I must lead this...

Read and leave comments (0)

🌷(1) 

Stuart Vanner   Challenges   Hardship   Struggling. Hope

Oracle of the Drought

`

 



fall into pools of swirling merriment
shirk substitutes that others recommend
firm in the knowledge of purest joy
your visage clear in mind, no mental toy

stab with wanton thrusts this warm caress
reveal dream's scorn amid phobic duress
with fiery brand your chariot swift - protect
lunar spheres in shaded ponds - thoughts collect

tinge red this broken tun...

Read more …

drought   oracle   survival   adaptation   trial   tribulation   suffering   hardship   harsh   hopestrength

The joy of fading memory

`





gnarly fingers
veil his face,
skin thin and crusty
at spots:
splotched parchment
of years in the sun

water
cascades
from his forehead to
his chin
then meets gravity;
raindrops

through his soil-grimed
singlet, jeans and boots;
hours of toil
simmer away
in rivulets
of forgetfulness.




`

Photo by Eric Kaufman, NC

Please...

Read more …

labor   labour   laborer   labourer   worker   slave   hard work   trapped   chains   shackles   life   hardship

This site uses only functional cookies that are essential to the operation of the site. We do not use cookies related to advertising or tracking. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Find out more Hide this message