Playing Solitaire

I come from a crystal world
fragile, delicate, shiny, bright
Reflecting out rainbow hues
from each plain ray of light.

I know my magical touch
and see the wonder spread
As I add ethereal glints
from violet to red...

I drop then into the earth's womb
amongst darkness and rough-edged rocks
Every carefully etched side dimmed,
ravaged by the knocks and shocks!

In a world unlike the one I've known
feeling like a misplaced shard of glass
Every tinkle, I fear I'll shatter
Yet hoping for the nightmare to pass

I protest, rebel, pray, despair
then begin to crack bit by bit
When I look inwards and find it
My answer, my solution, my strength, my grit

The rocks don't seem so fearsome
darkness does not disturb my calm
I proudly evolve, beautifully transform
The crystal I was, the diamond I now am



(Yes, I'm learning to play my best hand at the cards I was dealt. Enjoyed using 'solitaire' in the three meanings of the game, the solitary status of the player and the rare diamond state.)

Why I Cry

When the heart twists in agony
The pangs of pain hurt so bad
Senses go numb
Lips go dumb
and sensibilities retard.

Distraught nerves throb so fast
Breath caught in an aching gasp
The throat tight and choking
Fingers twitching and groping
trying yet helpless
unable to express

Feelings so tender, bruised and sore
Ideals shaken, beliefs unsure
Smarting under each willful attack
much too hurt to hurl it back

Two eyes gaze up in prayer
Two tears roll down, my saviour...

Wrote a poem after a long time in answer to a question I've been asked many times and one which I've wanted to find an answer to. Hope I've been able to convey at least some bit of what happens to make the tears come.