Journal Photos

A photo of me from my Journal

FOUND:

©2014 Susan Noyes Anderson

One faded girl in sepia,

eyes bright and opened wide.

Her life was sweet and simple then,

with nothing much to hide.

No worry bubbled through her veins;

no sadness scarred her soul.

The world was hers or nearly so;

she traveled without toll.

The sun shone warm upon her face;

each storm but cleared the air.

When lightning danced, the thunder clapped;

foul weather bowed to fair.

Her photo whispers, draws me in,

reminds me of a day

when innocence was all I knew

and troubles passed away.

The glow of faith had yet to face

the darkness at the door,

and loss had left no lasting stain

upon the unmarked floor.

What would it be to turn back time

and dwell behind her eyes,

when answers came in black and white

and truth steered clear of lies?

I still remember joy unbound

by grownup woes and cares,

untempered by the ups and downs

a wife and mother shares.

Those narrow shoulders left no room

for burdens on my back,

and every hope was still alive

and every dream on track.

Sometimes I long to be that girl.

Just once more, I would be

the little girl who thought she could

control her destiny.

And for a day I'd sail away

as far as I could go,

back to the years when clouds and rain

bespoke a bright rainbow.

Yet seasons change, all in their time.

Each foe and every fight

made of that girl a woman

who has learned to seek the Light.

Not only for herself but for

the ones that she holds dear.

Sweet memories in sepia

yield now to pictures clear.

Today, her golden hair is white,

and years have lined her face

with hard-earned knowledge, wisdom, and

no small amount of grace.

When courage wanes, sometimes I mourn

the girl I used to be.

And yet, to lose what I am now

would set me back, not free.

So I will keep my lessons earned,

embrace the roles I fill,

and treasure up the little girl 

that lives inside me still.

Life calls for guts and glory and

a forward-looking view.

The burdens bring forth blessings.

God sees His children through.

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