The Old Woman's Sorrows

The Old Woman's Sorrows

Her eyes reflected deep sadness and sorrow
Hope was not there for a better tomorrow;
Dreams had been crushed by fate’s cruel hand
But she asked not for pity from any man.

I nodded to her as she passed by my side
Her scared lonely eyes she could not hide;
As our gaze met and locked she smiled just a bit
And the fire in her eyes was just slightly lit.

For just one small moment she allowed that fire
To lift from despair to a place much higher;
Then she remembered her prison of self-imposed grief
That wouldn’t allow her to accept relief.

I turned and watched as she shuffled away
Just wanting to talk but what would I say
How could I know the pain she’d felt?
Or life’s injustices which she’d been dealt.

Just know that a word of kindness and caring
Will lighten the burden just by our sharing;
Private torments become lighter to carry
Sins of the past somehow easier to bury.

By living to be our brother’s keeper
We touch our lives to something deeper;
To let someone know there still is much love
From their fellowmen and our God above.