Robbie’s Inspiration – Poems about Waiting

Fellow blogger and poet, Smitha Vishwanath, wrote a lovely poem about waiting. At the time of writing, she was waiting for the results of medical tests which have subsequently come back and alleviated her anxiety. You can read Smitha’s post here: https://smithavpennings.com/2022/07/27/waiting-the-antonym-for-living/

Smitha’s words reminded me of my own times of waiting for answers in hospitals subsequent to various tests and procedures my two sons have undergone over the years.

I wrote a poem called Waiting for an Answer about Son # 1’s numerous medical procedures and interventions.

I decided to recite both poems and share them with you to consider.

What are your thoughts about waiting for test results and post operative feedback? Or are you one of the fortunate few who have never been in this position?

Waiting – the antonym for living by Smitha Vishwanath

You can learn more about Smitha Vishwanath here: https://writingtoberead.com/2022/02/16/treasuring-poetry-meet-poet-and-artist-smitha-vishwanath/

Waiting for an answer by Robbie Cheadle

Another circumstance which involves a lot of anxious waiting is during war. This poem is by an unknown poet and relates to the shelling of Ladysmith during the Second Anglo Boer War in South Africa.

The Borough of Ladysmith was Shelled on November 2, 1899. (Anonymous)

All within the leagured Bobs,

Calm and peaceful as of yore,

Sat the people silently waiting

The dread cannon’s awful roar.

***

Overhead the sun was shining,

All serene the landscape lay.

Waiting for the great disturbance

All expected on that day.

***

Then broke forth a voice of thunder –

With the shock the air was rent –

Overhead there came a something –

Instantly every head was bent.

***

Part a whistle – part a howling –

Part a scream. And part a yell –

Then a shock – a noise of bursting.

’Twas the “murmur of the shell”.