By Carolyn O’Daly
I searched without for happiness,
and I found fragments.
I opened my soul to love,
and my heart was slaughtered.
I covered myself with armor,
and searched again.
It was always right there,
beyond my fingertips.
Waiting for when.
I searched without for peace,
and I found turmoil.
I opened my soul to friendship,
and was rewarded with treachery.
I covered myself with honesty,
and searched again.
I knew it was there,
just beyond my grasp.
Waiting for when.
I searched without for comfort,
and I found indifference.
I opened my soul to kindness,
and found cruelty.
I covered myself with compassion,
and searched again.
I searched without for knowledge
and learned,
I should have searched within.
This poem won second place in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of MA 2004 creative writing contest. Carolyn O’Daly has written a book of humorous essays about the quirks of living on Martha’s Vineyard. It is called “There’s Something About the Vineyard,” and can be purchased through codaly47@gmail.com.
