by Carol Edwards

My heavy lead heart sinks my spirit low
like a water-filled hold pulls a ship below.

Lay my head down on the window seat;
winter sun’s rays hold no warmth for me.

My spirit cannot help but cast up its pain,
all its sorrow, deep chilled like new day.

Lo, upon my hair, I feel Your hands,
Your fingers threading through the strands.

Gentle Your touch, and Light I cannot see
lightens my burden, sets my heart free,

Your precious palms my lips would seek,
the scars therein to kiss, to keep.

How tender are my Shepherd’s hands;
they lift me from despair,
so when I waked, as from a dream,
I knew Him standing there.

Carol Edwards is a northern California native transplanted to southern Arizona. She lives and works in relative seclusion with her books, plants, and pets (+ husband). She grew up reading fantasy and classic literature, climbing trees, and acquiring frequent grass stains. She enjoys a coffee addiction and aspires to be a succulent mad scientist. Her work has appeared in Space & Time, OpenDoor Poetry Magazine, Origami Poems Project, Uproar Literary Blog, Heart of Flesh Literary Journal, Cajun Mutt Press, Gyroscope Review, and The Ocean Waves published by Red Penguin Books. She uploads her poetry to www.practicallypoetical.wordpress.com