I Speak to the Sound of My Cry
I speak to the sound of my cry and try to stifle it inside but the sound has pain of its own; unable to breathe it wrestles to be free looking for opportunities and possibilities. And with a gasp and a grunt it storms through my soul and disses me. My bones are creaking, out of joint. My outer layer distressed like denim, my skin shredded like wheat. I am left abandoned and mute.
The sound of my cry reverberates around the world in agony - frantic. Lost in darkness; searching for peace, comfort and freedom. Tortured and blinded it screams and shrieks.
But like a tail on a comet’s trail
Hopeful and faithful, I speak boldly to the obstacles it encounters as it bounces off, bruised and broken. It sends shock waves through the atmosphere; combustion of lightning and thunder, drought and unclean water. I speak to the scorching sun in torrid lands, the celestial moon that reflects light and soothes the night. I speak to the beasts that lie in wait and lie awake to plot my demise and out of hate make me pay a price.
Expended, finally my cry has weathered the storm. Still I speak - but in a quiet prayer to the whispering breeze my cry has become - begging it not to roar, soar or rustle anymore, in attempts to quench fear and dissipate. I speak to the oceans far and wide and rising tide: To the mountains that watch and wait then swallow what it wants as the valley chews the crumbs while I hunger for peace and joy.
“Please hear my cry, Sweet Jesus,” I scream, as I surrender. A shower of missiles appear and I step into a spray from above. The sound of my cry tumbles down. I catch my breath and we become one; a balm of cleansing tears comforts me and washes all my pain away, as I give voice to the sound of my cry.
Elizabeth P. Brooks is originally from Trinidad and Tobago and now calls Tampa Bay home. She is deeply concerned about human dignity and the need for social justice. She is outgoing, loves the sound of laughter and the power of the word. She is a performance poet and has had several poems and two non-fiction essays published in Indiana Voice Journal. She is the author of a recently published chapbook ,“You May Applaud Now and other poems” and she is currently working on a novel and many other projects. Elizabeth is a reference librarian at Saint Leo University in Dade City, Fla., and volunteers as an adult literacy tutor in Tampa. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post. Elizabeth writes the column "A Call to Love" for Spirit Fire Review. You can visit Elizabeth at her Facebook page here: Elizabeth Brooks