Support for Roland & I know, I think

This post is a sad one.  But we're here for each other, and that's a glorious thing.

I'm tearful for one of our blog friends, Roland Yeomans. We haven't been in close correspondence, and I rarely pay visits to his blog. But Roland is a precious soul, who donates book earnings to charity and is relentlessly generous with support and advice. He's faced more than his fair share of hardship, including surviving hurricanes that devastated his hometown of New Orleans, loss of a home to vicious fires, and depletion of his savings to keep his cat alive. Through it all, Roland perseveres with faith and unmeasurable kindness. Now, he's facing a fight for his life: cancerous skin growths. Surgeons won't operate until four weeks from now. 

The treatment is ridiculously expensive, but Roland won't accept money. Instead, he says "Your prayers mean a lot to me. 
You might mention my book, DEATH IN THE HOUSE OF LIFE, on your blog. If it is Sam's last adventure, I would like it to be seen by a few folks. "

Roland is one of those writers whose every phrase leaves you wondering how he works such magic with words. It appears this man has published somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 books. (Do I have that right, Roland?) He's probably the most brilliant author in blogland. 

If it's your practice to pray, please include Roland in your prayers. 

If not, love and support go a long way to lift someone through darkness. Thank you.

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Next, I'm joining with dverse, the poetic clan Pat Hatt raves about. This week's task is to write about something that comes with a flipside. My related thoughts parallel the dynamics of blogland. While we rejoice in each other's milestones, we're saddened by each other's traumas. This got me thinking about love (one in particular) and loss. Here's a dark-ish poem. Sorry. I'll cheer you up in upcoming posts. I promise.

Worth the Sad

I think I know
It’s worth the sad

The taste of bliss

That I once had

Playful madness, tickle fests
My trusting cheek against his chest.
 

A lovers' cove, a future planned.
Wedding vows, the world in hand.
 

I lived my dream.
With faith, I flew. To him my all
A promise true.

He snapped and shredded
Us apart
Confusion, tears
A fearful heart

From glee to dismal
In a blink
 

It’s worth the sad

I know

I think