The Weight of Ages: Modern Sonnets

If only I could

If only I could catch the fading light,

And hold it fast within my trembling hand,

To banish shadows of the coming night,

And paint the world with gold across the land.

If only I could mend a broken heart,

And weave the scattered pieces into whole,

To play a healing, empathetic part,

And ease the burden pressing on the soul.

If only I could silence doubt and fear,

That whisper softly, poisoning the mind,

And let the voice of courage ring so clear,

A stronger, bolder truth for me to find.

But dreams are fragile, and the world is cold,

And “if only” stories must remain untold.

The city whispers laws of stone and steel,

That doom the strays, the lost, the hungry-eyed.

A heartless measure, callous hearts conceal,

As lives are forfeit, dignity denied.

Do we forget the loyalty they give,

The comfort offered in a lonely hour?

Are gentle waggings now no cause to live?

Is kindness lost to legislative power?

These creatures, born perhaps to luckless fate,

Deserve compassion, shelter, and a chance.

Not cruel indifference that seals their gate,

And ends their story in a vacant trance.

Let mercy guide us, break this wicked chain,

And offer hope, before they die in vain.

A guiding light, a spark within the soul,

A teacher stands, with wisdom in their eyes.

They plant the seeds of knowledge, make us whole,

And help our hidden talents to arise.

No rote memorization, dry and cold,

But passion breathed in every word they speak.

A tapestry of stories, new and old,

They weave, and for connections, always seek.

They challenge us to question, to explore,

Beyond the boundaries that we thought we knew.

They open doors we never saw before,

And paint a brighter, more inspiring view.

For such a teacher, we are truly blessed,

Their inspiration is a lifelong test.

The sun ascends, a kiss upon the dew,

And paints the eastern sky with hues of gold.

The world awakens, fresh and bright and new,

A story waiting, silently unfolds.

The birdsong rises, a melodious call,

Inviting slumber to release its hold.

Let shadows fade and gentle breezes fall,

As morning's promise, bravely, is unrolled.

So, greet the day with open heart and mind,

Let yesterday be buried in the past.

A fresh beginning, easily defined,

A chance to make a moment that will last.

Good morning, world! Let joy illuminate,

The path ahead, and seal your destined fate.

In realms of grey, where shadows softly creep,

A loveless place, devoid of warmth and light,

Where silent sorrows silently do weep,

And hope's bright flame is quenched in endless night.

The heart grows cold, a barren, frozen land,

No tender touch, no solace to be found,

An empty space, where spirits cannot stand,

And joy's sweet song is lost without a sound.

The chilling air whispers of discontent,

A lonely echo in the vacant halls,

Where love's fair promises are quickly rent,

And bitter tears like frozen raindrops fall.

Oh, loveless place, a desolate domain,

Where hearts adrift, forever feel the pain.

With eyes so bright, a spirit yet untamed,

A world of wonder held within your gaze,

A heart that beats, untarnished and unblamed,

You dance through life in sunlit, joyful haze.

Each step you take, a canvas yet unfilled,

Each word you speak, a melody so pure,