The Light In My Backyard

If it's beauty that we're after

It's in the love and laughter

Of playing children

Flowers, pets

In hugs and smiles

The sun that sets

All free and widespread

Heaven bound

In parks and gardens

All around

It's all beauty in disguise

Just open up those eyes

If it's sorrow that we're fleeing

We kid ourselves, not seeing

That life will sometimes deal a hand

That trips you

Face first in the sand

No point in running

It'll catch up

Accept what's coming

It will stop

If sorrow never came

You wouldn't be the same

If it's anger that we're feeling

Towards our peers

We're kneeling

In front of evil, shame and pain

In darkness then

We shall remain

One must let go of all that grudge

Before the hurt will fade and smudge

If anger fills your days

Darkness your heart obeys

I look for love

I look for peace

My eyes are open

My heart sees

The love and light

In my backyard

I smile for you

Let down my guard

I finally know my wounds will heal

Through what I never thought I'd feel

Forever in this light I'll roam

For I am finally home

Comments: 30

Webduck * Jul 25, 2006, 6:01pm EDT

I am not a "poet critic", I just know what I like. This was wonderful Jessica. Thank you!

reply to this comment

Dan B. Jul 25, 2006, 6:07pm EDT

Awesome, yes why drag on the dragons that dragonus!!Thank You!

reply to this comment

jessie voigts Jul 25, 2006, 6:08pm EDT

beautiful, spot-on. i love this.

reply to this comment

Carol Roach Jul 26, 2006, 12:17am EDT

this is very nice thank you.

reply to this comment

Verie Sandborg Jul 26, 2006, 12:36pm EDT

You gently move us through negative feelings with wise images.

reply to this comment

Mugg Muggles, "The Man With the Jive" Jul 26, 2006, 4:43pm EDT

Jessica-
Thanks so much for the loving advice. I needed it.

reply to this comment

Jessica G. Jul 26, 2006, 4:52pm EDT

Carol W., Dan, Jessie, Carol R., Verie, Mugg,

Thank you so much for the beautiful comments!

reply to this comment

Shaunee C. Jul 26, 2006, 5:28pm EDT

Very good words.

reply to this comment

Clare Stella Jul 26, 2006, 7:30pm EDT

Good expressive poem with a strong lesson.

reply to this comment

Aileen F. Jul 26, 2006, 7:56pm EDT

I love the way this flows off the tongue.

reply to this comment

Cami Soul Jul 26, 2006, 8:37pm EDT

I like how you use a more singsong rhythm until the last stanza. Almost the reverse of the feelings. I was sitting in a Chinese restaurant with my daughter and I got this fortune: "Stop searching forever, happiness is just next to you." I looked around thinking there was no one near me. From across the table, my daughter said, "I'm next to you." It was quite clear to her what my happiness consisted of. Basically, you're saying find happiness in your own back yard, are you not? As someone who has struggled with that lately, I salute you.

reply to this comment

julian 'blighted karma' three Jul 26, 2006, 10:01pm EDT

Allow me, please, to echo the words of praise and appreciation for your creation - like Carol W, way up there at the top, I don't fancy myself a great critic or anything else, but when words of gentle beauty, steeped in wisdom, appear before me, I can recognize them. Thank you for this; I look forward to reading more and more of your wonderful works!

reply to this comment

Julie L. Jul 27, 2006, 1:12am EDT

More people need to live according to your words. Perhaps this poem will touch a few hearts & minds?

reply to this comment

Rossie Indira Jul 27, 2006, 3:21am EDT

It touches mine!

reply to this comment

Jessica G. Jul 27, 2006, 2:15pm EDT

Everyone,

I'm overwhelmed! Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I truly appreciate it.

reply to this comment

Shaunee C. Jul 27, 2006, 5:26pm EDT

Great poem I like the why you describe thing in your writting .Excellent.

reply to this comment

Diana Raabe Jul 28, 2006, 1:38pm EDT

I agree with Carol. Also, there is something pure and simple about the way you have expressed yourself.

reply to this comment

Faith H. Jul 28, 2006, 7:47pm EDT

Jessica, what a sweet voice you express.

reply to this comment

Magi the magical poet is riding the wind again Jul 28, 2006, 8:13pm EDT

Jessica, wisdom simply and gently expressed. Well done!

Magi

reply to this comment

Sara Elizabeth Jul 28, 2006, 10:49pm EDT

beautiful poem...it was simple, but i tend to think simplicity is better, more powerful in a sense. excellent!

reply to this comment

Andrea M. Jul 30, 2006, 11:58pm EDT

You express a wide spectrum of thoughts that many people can relate to and appreciate. Good job.

reply to this comment

Gisela S. Jul 31, 2006, 12:36am EDT

Jessica, I very much enjoyed this. Thank you!

reply to this comment

Christina F Aug 2, 2006, 3:29pm EDT

I really liked this poem, and I think it provided a necessary reminder that sometimes looking for what isn't yet there means we miss the wonderful things already there. Thank you.

reply to this comment

Carol Cassell Aug 5, 2006, 5:01pm EDT

Jessica, thank you for this beautiful poem. I sweeps me away. Too often instead of allowing ourselves a creative journey, we focus on the length of the trip. The gentle blending of understanding and knowledge creates much vision. Thank you. I hope to see more of your work.

reply to this comment

Ileen H. Aug 8, 2006, 3:52pm EDT

Jessica thank you this brought back memories of sitting with my grandpa and listening to him explain things to me when I was very very young .

reply to this comment

Judy W. Aug 15, 2006, 3:58pm EDT

Clearly your poem touched so many hearts, as it did mine.We all spend too much time searching and hiding to see what we already have that is fulfilling. Your insight is inspiring and beautiful.
Judy

reply to this comment