Glistening Teardrops

Glistening teardrops

Stream from eyes

Long embittered

By the bitter harshness

Of life's cruel burdens.

Surging waters

Threaten to engulf

The poor, hapless soul

Wallowing in self-despair.

The aching heart

Yearns painfully

For a fragment

Of fragile-winged happiness.

Ringlets of doubt

Can be seen

Swiftly circling

As the travailing soul

Prays for a sturdier faith

And the endless shining of the sun.

   © Miriam Jacob