The Sweetest Sounds
Steven Bates, October 15, 2023
As I lay strapped tight in my bed
Dark thoughts dancing through my head
I felt my will to stay and fight
Fade away to dimmest light
Calling me to safest shore
Oblivion promising pain no more
It spoke and teased of peace sublime
If I gave in and died this time
But something kept me from that fate
Though Life as it was I'd grown to hate
Could it have been that simple cross
Pinned on the wall had stopped my loss?
Could it have been that soft, still voice,
That told me I still had a choice?
That spoke through all the cluttered sound
That had my head a' spinning round
That soft still voice that spoke of hope,
And whispered ways for me to cope.
It softly sang away my fears
As peaceful sounds caressed my ears
It soothed my angst, my troubled soul
Repaired my wounds and made me whole
It said that life has much to give
If only I would stay and live
I listened to whispers as I lay
Tightly strapped and held at bay
And found that peace had come to me
Instead of stress, anxiety
I decided I would live my life
Regardless of whatever strife
Would come my way for now I know
That soft still voice taught me to grow
It taught that pain's a part of living
It taught that hope's forever giving
It taught that Life might have some sad
But it doesn't mean that Life's all bad
Life is so worth every try
To stay and fight, not up and die
It's worth the effort, worth the strain
Don't give it up first sign of pain
Have faith my friend and don't give up
No matter what's put in your cup
For cups can be emptied, drank, refilled
With Peace and Hope your Living shield
Live long my friends and fare thee well
And know that voice will also tell
All who ask that hope abounds
Which is, of course, the sweetest sounds