To love is to act
open-armed, unafraid:
water cup, prison visit,
compassion for all who live
(freely receive, freely give).
Sufferings bind, grind down,
but hope burns steady
in darkness. Soon the broken
will be whole in every part
(head, body, heart).
Graceful Press Poetry 
Aimer c’est agir…
“Grace speaking”,
actually!
Thank you!
LikeLike
And hearing Grace speak in French makes my day! 🙂
LikeLike
I like the idea of hope burning steady in darkness. And I love the “water cup, prison visit” line. Those four words paint a very vivid picture.
LikeLike
Thanks so much!
LikeLike
Wow, wow, wow. Wow. I don’t know what else to say, Jen–you’ve rendered me “stupid”!
LikeLike
Haha, oh dear. I’m glad you liked it!
LikeLike
Such an evocative piece. Lovely writing!
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
A lovely take on the prompt! Let loose your imagination you did 😉
LikeLike
Ah, thanks. I did consider skipping this one.., it took me awhile to get any ideas at all!
LikeLike
I also love the four words, “water cup, prison visit,” something about them really stood out and grabbed me. Lovely piece!
LikeLike
Thanks for those words, so encouraging!
LikeLike
Thank goodness for hope!
LikeLike
Fervent yes! Thank you for reading!
LikeLike
“but hope burns steady..” such a great message. Lovely take.
LikeLike
Thank you, so kindly said.
LikeLike
What would we ever do without hope? – lovely write
LikeLike
It is desperately needed, hope. Thank you for stopping by!
LikeLike
“to love it to act”
so much power and tenderness and spirit in those words.
What a beautiful take on the prompt. I am sighing with watery eyes.
LikeLike
Such a wonderful comment. Thanks so much.
LikeLike
Such beauty – of words and sentiment – in that opening stanza. Wonderfully portrayed.
LikeLike
Thank you for those words!
LikeLike
“but hope burns steady
in darkness. “- so stunning! 🙂
LikeLike
I’m glad you liked the image. Thanks for your kind comment.
LikeLike
A glimmer of hope should always burn bright. Brilliantly done! ♥
LikeLike
Thank you, Kathy.
LikeLike
Yes, ‘water cup, prison visit’ definitely a winning phrase. Grace is saying a lot of things worth listening to!
LikeLike
Grace does that! Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
I hope to one day know and experience love.
LikeLike
❤
LikeLike
As ever, your words are perfectly placed…I, too, am especially fond of “water cup, prison visit.” So much said about grace and with such tenderness. Gorgeous, Jennifer.
LikeLike
Thanks, Meg. You are always so sweet and generous with your comments.
LikeLike
I really like the first phrase…another great piece! Of course “Graceful Press” would have a great answer to this week’s question 🙂
LikeLike
🙂 And I almost skipped it this week!
LikeLike
I’m really glad you changed your mind 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful!! Great structure and a hopeful message. Loved it.
LikeLike
Thanks especially for noticing (and liking!) the structure.
LikeLike
This was gorgeous. “Right down to the soul” kind of gorgeous.
LikeLike
Oooh, I like that! Thanks!
LikeLike
Love that little internal rhyme scheme you’ve hidden there.
LikeLike
Thanks for noticing! 🙂
LikeLike
Your poetry always elicits celestial scenes in my head. I think in this work it’s the redemption of the ‘broken’ in the second stanza. Gorgeous work, yet again.
LikeLike
That redemption really is the key. Thanks so much for your thoughtful and kind comment.
LikeLike
Gorgeous! And so full of light. And grace, of course. I love the examples you give – water cup, prison visit. That line grounds the piece in the real world. Very, very nice response to the prompt. Thanks for linking it up!
LikeLike
Thank you for the very kind words. I love how you saw it as full of light!
LikeLike