The Burdened Ones

“The Burdened One”

by Emily Bergstrom

They go on with smiling face,

thinking all is well,

for I can walk and step in grace.

Who can fear what’s known and good?

As long as they are unaware,

and I remain,

if I walk with care –

all will be fine, no smiles chased.

But if I walk the untrod road,

and something new wells up and out?

If I cannot bear my heavy load?

Then who is to say what will come?

For kindness is bread for the burdened one.

Without their bread, they shrivel,

like grapes beneath the sun

So, “keep all the same, don’t smile, don’t frown!”

Don’t tip the apple cart.

Truth is death for the burdened one.

March 25, 2014

Don't be discouraged by mood in poetry. I believe that sometimes bringing a feeling out gives the opportunity to address the solution. 

This poem is something I wrote in light of a personal struggle of my own. I have never liked sharing my burdens with others. It's embarrassing and strange - even awkward. No one wants to be the complainer or the martyr. And even more importantly, no one wants their dirty laundry potentially shared beyond a confidence. My own worst fear is that I don't want anyone's opinion of me to change. 

Sometimes I find the will to share the burdens I carry, but I'm fairly certain whatever I say still comes out in an awkward way. Maybe no one else notices, but that's the way I perceive myself. 

Still, God created us as a body, to live together in community and support one another. 

Recently, I have started reading the book of Ecclesiastes. and while I'm certain you might have heard the verses before, it speaks very well to the purpose of seeking community with other Christians and surrounding ourselves with the support system God has so wonderfully put into place for us. 

 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12