Love Scars & Shipwrecks

by Debbie

      

Being shipwrecked on an island, standing alone in the sun

I realize the waves keep coming in one by one.

When you first left my life, it ripped a hole in me.

Funny it was huge to me but no one else could see.

Getting used to dying is something that will never be

For when I love someone so deeply, it leaves a scar in me.

Scars are the testament that love was real and deep.

Love scars so deep many nights go without sleep.

Scars grow over the wound so thick it makes that tissue strong.

Scars are ugly only to those who have never lost their song.

Grief comes rolling in at first you seem to drown.

Everything floating around you not making a sound.

For awhile floating is all you can do

While pieces of what was magnificent remind you

Of what was and is no more float by

Grab a few pieces of memory just to stay alive!

At first it may be a photo, or clothes hung so neatly nearby

All you can do is float, hang on, just simply try.

At first the waves  without mercy come crashing over you

They come 10 seconds apart, float, it’s all you can do.

Maybe days, maybe weeks, maybe months, maybe years

The waves are still one hundred feet tall, still bringing tears.

Coming further apart, you catch your breath, but they can still wipe you out.

You never know…a song, a picture , a smell, can bring it about.

The waves come crashing but in between… life goes on humming.

Somewhere down the line, you can see those waves coming.

An anniversary, a birthday, Christmas, or shopping at the mall.

You can see it coming, prepare yourself, it is different for all.

And when it washes over you, you know you will survive.

Soaking wet on the other side, sputtering you’re still alive.

As we age, the waves continue, like the sunrise of each new day…

But you’ve learned you’ll survive them, with mercy you’ll be able to say

Blessed there were more than one expects

I’m covered with love scars and shipwrecks.

 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” Philippians 4:13

“Fear not, for I am with you; Don’t be discouraged , for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is my strength.”  Nehemiah 8:10

Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.”

Isaiah 40:31- “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint!”

 

Dedicated to the one who wrote the original story on Reddit that touched my soul.

ASK FOR PERMISSION © Copyright 2016 Deborah Johnson words and photos

photo © with National Geographic DebbieH

Tags: death, heartbreak, life, pain, personal, poem, poems, Poetry, poetry blog, poetry writing, poets, poets corner, survival, truth, writing, writing poetry