empty, or poverty of spirit

The same way the old fairy tales start
there was a woman
who stored her love like spare change
in a jar on the windowsill
& gave it out freely
when it was needed

sometimes it overflowed
but mostly the level was constant,
a blissful, unthinking diffusion
until the day a man moved in
& started taking more
than he gave;
not all at once, but gradually
the level of pennies dropped

not surprising to find that jar one morning empty,
not broken, not stolen,
just empty.

The absence of feeling
more painful than grief, echoes of living
heard in a vacant house.

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About Susan L Daniels

I am a firm believer that politics are personal, that faith is expressed through action, and that life is something that must be loved and lived authentically--or why bother with any of it?
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8 Responses to empty, or poverty of spirit

  1. Gaelic Dreams's avatar George Ellington says:

    Beautifully — and quite sadly — done, Susan.

    • Thank you George–this trembled on the edge of overly emotional, I thought, so I wanted to let it sit for a bit before I published it. Glad you liked.

  2. jeglatter's avatar jeglatter says:

    The absence of feeling, disconnection, yes Susan “more painful, than grief, echoes of living…” so thoughtful. Gorgeous. -Jennifer

  3. nelle's avatar nelle says:

    Good visual of bankrupt behaviour.

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