Shadow of the Valley

Tired of walking I stopped to rest.

My companion stopping with me.

No one really looks at you, said I. 

You have a strange allure that lingers. 

A peace and calm to be had. 

My silent companion smiled as we sat 

In the shadow of the valley. 

From where I traveled those that remained wept. 

Cursing he that led the way

But in time they too shall join me. 

Traveling with the Angel of Death.

Reviews

[lightsong]

Wow dear Cherrie! this is really amazing! the expression, the scenes, the feelings... the serenity, the calmness, the surrendering... You painted Death as it should be, not with fear but with awe peace.

[Cherrie L Bill]

I responded to this when you first reviewed. I'm so glad I noticed my response wasn't there. Because I greatly appreciate you reading my work. Thank you.

[lightsong]

These things happen in the site don't worry dear Cherrie :> You are warmly welcome ❤️

[Coyote Poetry]

I like the Ojibwa wisdom. Death is resting and waiting on our left shoulder dear Cherrie.
"But in time they too shall join me.
Traveling with the Angel of Death."
The above lines are true my friend. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Cherrie L Bill]

:) thank you good to see you this morning hope your day goes well.

[Coyote Poetry]

Was my pleasure dear Cherrie and you are welcome.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

This send chills down my spine in a good way.

[Cherrie L Bill]

:) Thank you 😊

[Pete]

impossible to fall asleep on this journey. your words always reach out and grab but wow - so poignant and sobering. you surely put the "p" in poet ... :)

[Cherrie L Bill]

Thank you so much. I've been wanting to turn the phase 'the valley of the shadow of death'.
And everything just fell into place. :)

[Pete]

wow. it sure did. i've actually been reading psalm 23 lately. thanks for setting the table ... :)

[Cherrie L Bill]

Nack when it was written, The valley was a real place where robbers hid in wait for passengers.

[Pete]

ouch. remind me to steer clear of that trough ... :)

[Ken Simm.]

Such an ending and such a poem leading me slowly to it. Excellent, intelligent and atmospheric.

[Cherrie L Bill]

Thank you 😊

[JE Falcon]

Well, that last line slapped me in the face like a wet bag of reality. But I'm thinking you planned it that way. :) This was a good poem with a great ending that I knew was coming, but I still didn't see it until it had hold of me. LOL --- Thanks!

[Cherrie L Bill]

I'm glad it read that way. :) thank you for reading it.

[William Michael Reeves]

This hit me hard. Our companion from birth, death. Walking with him as our own die intersecting with him on those paths until he meets us at the end of our walk. This was a powerful poem Cherrie.

[Cherrie L Bill]

Thank you Bill. The image hit me of Death walking with us and it just wrote itself.

[William Michael Reeves]

Timely. Powerful! Hurts.

[Gee]

You paint a peaceful picture of passing away Cherrie, this going against what so many feel, fear.
I think I dread not the passing away but more so what I'll miss once gone.
Nicely written...I like poems about death, strangely, and like Fabian I enjoy reading Emily D.
Hope you are well.

[Cherrie L Bill]

Thank you 😊 and I do too( like poems about death). I think there is only two camps when it comes to the topic. Those that will look and those that don't want to see.
Either way it is a tough typic to approach.
So I like to keep it simple (like my mind), and just write from the heart.

[Gee]

Nowt wrong with a simple mind Cherrie, though I doubt you possess one :)

[Fabian G. Franklin]

In the third line from the end you have the word "lead" where possibly "led" or "leads" might have been intended. Reminded me of The Belle's, "I could not stop for death." That's one of Dickinson's more often recited works. I love so many of her poems. I have a book with many of her lesser known works included. Another popular poem of hers about death is "I heard a fly buzz-when I died". It's difficult to treat mortality so gingerly or human fragility so carefully. I enjoyed the read.

[Cherrie L Bill]

Thank you I haven't re-read it yet. I changed it once but I guess it didn't take.
Emily is so often overlooked. Her style and poems are ageless.
The separation of death is terribly painful but like caterpillar this life is just a precursor for the world to follow.

[M. J. Smith]

All will one day travel with him. But I once cursed him for taking someone dear and leaving me.
Now, I live to honor her memory. Well written.

[Cherrie L Bill]

Yes I understand that completely. As a girl my dad died and I've spent my life living up to his memory. My faith keeps my grief at bay for all those who trust in Christ will be united. So I think of it as a family holiday and I'm just running late. :)