I see a child stand
at the valley entrance.
Alone. Forlorn.
Blood on his feet.
Tears on his cheeks.
The shadows draw him in.
I can’t…
I can’t reach him;
Pull him back.
I can’t even speak.
I see a child walk
along the valley path.
Terrified. Trembling.
The ground is stones.
The air is smoke.
Scars trace his steps.
Please…
Please let me help;
I could save him.
I could take the pain.
I see a child fall
in the valley shadow.
Hurt. Deserted.
Covered in wounds.
Aching from lies.
He tries to stand.
He falls…
He falls again, again, and yet again.
God have mercy.
Isn’t there something I can do?
Look.
A whisper touches the air.
The wind turns to silver.
Beside the trembling child, a Figure stands.
His feet are bleeding.
My child,
this one is also mine.
Watch.
The voice is clearer.
The shadows surge.
Beside the stumbling child, a Figure walks.
His hands are scarred.
My dearest,
I’ve suffered it as well.
See.
The word echoes.
Dawn slips into the valley.
Beside the fallen child, a Figure kneels.
He is crying.
My love,
I know what I am doing.
Believe.
I stare at my hands.
They are bleeding,
torn on stone.
I’m kneeling, shadows on all sides.
You see their pain; I’ve felt it all.
The whisper is behind me.
To know is your valley.
To heal is mine.
Hope Ann likes to think of herself as an undercover resistance fighter in the battle for truth. In reality, her bluntness and sarcasm make her anything but “undercover.” The oldest of nine children, she has an arsenal of experience ranging from jiu-jitsu, living in the Dominican Republic for two years, and working with troubled teenagers.
Her greatest struggle is realizing she can’t do everything, but it hasn’t stopped her from periodically trying.
Based in central Indiana, her day-to-day life involves brainstorming theories about Sanderson’s Cosmere with her husband, collecting situation-perfect memes, and struggling to remember the difference between effect and affect. She is the author of nine fantasy books, a writing coach, and a former board member of Story Embers.
Enlist in her ranks for humor, sarcasm, and blunt, honest truth. Click here for all that, plus a free Beauty and the Beast retelling!
Love this!! Excellent job!!
Thanks!
Hope, this is so beautiful <3
*bows* thank you
This made me smile and tear up at the same time.
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
This is really good. I don’t often see such poetry. The final two lines are perfect.
Thanks! I love those lines too. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Oh it’s stunning! Love this one! ❤
Thanks!
Wow!!! Amazingly done!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Wow! This is amazingly poignant and deep!!
Thanks!
I wish I could express my feelings about this poem as much as you express feelings in Valleys. 😊
It is a poem I still feel very deeply. Most my poems don’t turn out quite this well though.
*sniffs* <3!!!!!!!!
*hands you a tissue*
Wow… This is so amazingly beautiful. Thank you for writing this. It made my day!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!