I explored the contradiction between pain and resilience, effort and surrender. Surrender with the stubbornness of a smile. Even when life is harsh, we carry on.
Life
is a Bitch
I called the one
without a name.
Opened wrong doors,
entered wrong rooms.
Found truth
a little too late.
I kept smiling.
I fed the skeleton
of broken dreams.
Stepped outside
to follow the stream.
The trees waved at me
I waved back.
I kept smiling.
I couldn’t stop
the water from being cold.
Life is a bitch.
But I am
a queen warrior.
I took a cold shower.
I kept smiling.
The water never asked me why.
"The trees waved at me
ReplyDeleteI waved back.
I kept smiling." Yes, yes, yes. This is the way to ride the crest of life. So beautifully put.
Marja, I am glad that the trees waved at you. And when you go in the wrong door you come out a lot faster than when you went in. I'd like to see a survey to see the percentage have done that more than once I've gone into the "wrong" lou.
ReplyDelete"I fed the skeleton
ReplyDeleteof broken dreams."
And "kept smiling." This image truly resonated with me. The skeletons remain long after the initial grief. And cold water showers! This poem is great on many levels.
Good on you, Marja! I particularly love your last verse, and especially the last line.
ReplyDeleteYour poem and Sumana's poem have a similar message, I think. Despite the blunders in our lives, we keep moving on and smiling. We have to!
ReplyDeleteLove the skeleton of broken dreams and the cold shower's water not asking why.
ReplyDeleteThis poem made me smile as I have made the same journey. My mom used to say when I was a kid "go to your room and dont come out till you have a smile on your face". I have worn an obsequious, trying-to-please smile ever since. LOL.
ReplyDeleteOften it is "a little too late" that we learn what would have been useful to know sooner. That is, indeed, one of life's cruel reasons to be defiant and smile. :)
ReplyDeleteHang in there!
ReplyDeletePris cilla King
Yes, it's true, it can be! And it can be beautiful as well~
ReplyDeleteLife wasn't meant to be easy said a former Australian Prime Minister.Malcolm Fraser. He never lived it down and will always be remembered for it. Yep, we are all trained to be little troopers. Some of us are better than others at it.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful use of imagery - so vivid and resonant - made me think of Kafka - all those doors and windows that get in our way - Jae
ReplyDeleteJust keep being the Queen Warrior & winning wars in style :)
ReplyDeleteLovely words!
Never say surrender. A true warrior queen.
ReplyDeleteIn these troubled times, resilience is a plus.
You come out as Avery strong and beautiful woman. Love it
ReplyDeleteA beautiful poem full of determination and strength, Marja. Will that cold shower to be hot and in any case a shower is cathartic!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem, Marja! I love the trees waving at you.
ReplyDeleteA brisk shower can clear the brain. Strong poem, Marja!
ReplyDelete3-5 cold showers a day here in Thailand!
ReplyDeleteDear Marja,
ReplyDeleteyour poem struck me deep – it’s raw and painful, yet strong and honest.
There’s power in your words, even in the darkness – the voice of a true queen warrior 💪👑.
You paint life as it sometimes really is – not polished, not kind, but still worth facing with courage and a fierce heart.
Thank you for your poetic truth – it resonates more than I can say. 💔🖋️🔥
Warmest hugs across the globe,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/06/ausflug-zur-burg-liechtenstein.html
Hope all is well. another great poem.
ReplyDeleteKeep on keeping, eh? I love the concept -- the enduring whatever comes at you. Lovely prose.
ReplyDelete