A light shone

In a corner of rumination,
I could not see what was hidden by
the gloom. Swelling to an immensity
of terror and shame, becoming a pit
of wasted hope - a void of despair.

Until the moment a voice spoke softly,
ever gently, in my ear. Life is sweet it said.
Suddenly I thought of orphans sorting
through garbage for half-rotted food;
mothers working 16 hours a day
for a dollar or two, sewing
the clothes I wear.

Life sweet? For me, not them.
As tears dribbled into a mounting ache,
I knew why I heard that tone.
Who played the delicate song.
So I won’t forget -
so I’ll hang on.

~ MJS