IN DEFENSE OF SADNESS

Sadness is there

To remind us of

Mortality, of the reality of loss,

To prevent us from

Getting too complacent

about glib forms of false happiness –

Sadness creeps in

To recall for us

That Trees sometimes do

die in the wintry ground

that poets have lost their tongues

and tyrants rule for years

inequality reigns for years

and wisdom can shrivel

under all sorts of late duress

Sadness, tears, the ripped heart

serve to remind us

that happiness is not the goal

and peace cannot indefinitely endure

nor will the truth always win out . . .

Sadness empties your cup

that grace might drip in

© 2003 Thomas N. Dennis

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