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Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer: With Astonishing Tenderness

When, in the middle of the night, 

you wake with the certainty you’ve

done it all wrong, when you wake

and see clearly all the places you’ve failed,

in that moment, when dreams will not return, 

this is the chance for your softest voice—

the one you reserve for those you love most—

to say to you quietly, oh sweetheart, 

this is not yet the end of the story. 

Sleep will not come, but somehow, 

in that wide awake moment there is peace—

the kind of peace that does not need

everything to be right before it arrives. 

The peace that comes from not fighting 

what is real. The peace that rises

in the dark on its sure dark wings 

to meet you exactly as you are.


Copyright 2024 Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer is a poet, teacher and storyteller. Among her many books and recordings is All the Honey (Samara Press, 2023). She lives with her husband and daughter in Placerville, Colorado, on the banks of the wild and undammed San Miguel River.

Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

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40 comments on “Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer: With Astonishing Tenderness

  1. John Lanning
    March 2, 2024
    John Lanning's avatar

    …the
    ….Peace
    …..that
    …….comes
    …from
    …..not
    …….fighting.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. ncanin
    March 2, 2024
    ncanin's avatar

    The peace that comes from not fighting

    what is real. The peace that rises

    in the dark on its sure dark wings

    to meet you exactly as you are.

    Rosemerry, this is beautiful – and comforting in these very dark times. Thank you and thank you Michael for posting!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. David Adès
    March 2, 2024
    David Adès's avatar

    This is a wonderful poem, thank you, one of those poems I read and think “I would have loved to have written this”. It resonates with me as being a truth, which is what I love poetry to do for me.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Vox Populi
      March 2, 2024
      Vox Populi's avatar

      Now we don’t have to write this poem. Rosemerry has written it, and done so brilliantly.

      >

      Like

      • David Adès
        March 2, 2024
        David Adès's avatar

        Indeed!

        Like

    • Rosemerry
      March 2, 2024
      Rosemerry's avatar

      Thank you, David, thank you for the kind words.

      Like

  4. Clayton Clark
    March 1, 2024
    Clayton Clark's avatar

    Thank you for sharing this. A perfect poem to help me through tonight’s restless hours. Love it.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Joanne B Snyder
    March 1, 2024
    Joanne B Snyder's avatar

    Hi Rosemerry, I had a delicious nap just woke up ….feeling so peaceful and cozy, cared for…. decided to check out my Facebook and guess what this poem was spot on! So lovely!
    Swirls of peace, love and delicious sleep(s) j

    Liked by 1 person

    • Rosemerry
      March 2, 2024
      Rosemerry's avatar

      Thank you, Joanne, wishing you many beautiful naps! and peace.

      Like

  6. donnahilbert
    March 1, 2024
    donnahilbert's avatar

    I send you love, dear Rosemerry

    Liked by 1 person

    • Rosemerry
      March 2, 2024
      Rosemerry's avatar

      Ah, dear Donna, I receive it and swirl it back to you

      Like

  7. Rosemerry
    March 1, 2024
    Rosemerry's avatar

    ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  8. barbara_y
    March 1, 2024
    barbara_e_young's avatar

    Thanks.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. rosemaryboehm
    March 1, 2024
    rosemaryboehm's avatar

    I have sent this poem to a friend who needs comfort. How soothing.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Laure-Anne
    March 1, 2024
    Laure-Anne's avatar

    “in that wide awake moment there is peace—

    the kind of peace that does not need

    everything to be right before it arrives. ”

    So perfectly said!

    Liked by 3 people

  11. Barbara Huntington
    March 1, 2024
    Barbara Huntington's avatar

    Oh for that softest voice.

    Like

  12. Lisa Zimmerman
    March 1, 2024
    Lisa Zimmerman's avatar

    Rosemerry’s poems are a balm✨

    Liked by 1 person

  13. daninmaya
    March 1, 2024
    daninmaya's avatar

    Peace is easier to find in the night when all is quiet and still.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Vox Populi
      March 1, 2024
      Vox Populi's avatar

      Sometimes in the hours before dawn I experience the dark night of the soul…

      >

      Liked by 1 person

    • Rosemerry
      March 1, 2024
      Rosemerry's avatar

      Oh friend, for me it has gone both ways–and what a gift when it is peace that arrives and I am able to receive it …

      Liked by 2 people

  14. jfrobb
    March 1, 2024
    jfrobb's avatar

    Just what I needed! How did you know?

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Louise Hawes
    March 1, 2024
    Louise Hawes's avatar

    I was up at 4am when this poem found me. Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Sean Sexton
    March 1, 2024
    Sean Sexton's avatar

    So tight
    In that middle
    Of the night!

    Liked by 1 person

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