A Solitary Figure
by C. Robert Stark


The solitary figure stood in silence by the pole,
A lonely soul discouraged, and burdened by his woe;
The hopelessness of being there, futility at its worst,
He felt despair well up inside till it seemed nigh to burst;
 
He muttered some words, almost silently, and dropped his head down low,
And thought about the things undone and how he just should go;
But then two figures appeared afar and slowly walked his way.
Could they be coming to join with him, his heart began to say?
 
Indeed they said, we’ve come like you, concerned for all around.
We look for others to also come, to share in heart and sound.
And come they did, first one , then two,
Till eight souls shared the spot.
 
They shared the burdens on each heart,
And slowly did depart,
But something had changed in each one’s soul,
A light, a spark, a hope,
 
Till once again they all had left,
And a single figure stood,
Reflecting on the things they’d said,
Encouraged by the good.
 
The solitary figure stood in silence by the pole,
But discouraged and burdened no more,
For now the figure stood strong as a rod,
Alone, with others, and God​.