i know this stretch of highway well.

i’ve traveled this winding road.

the curves that lead to where darkness lives –

the no-outlets –

desperation…

 

i’ve been where you currently hide.

scratched my name on that same wall of sorrow.

imagined the comfort of care.

and even now, on that very ledge of contemplation –

with the wind of indifference suggesting you just let go –

become undone –

i know…

 

sometimes in life we find the journey too long between rests.

sometimes – too intense.

sometimes,

lonely.

but what we fail to realize,

is just how much strength we show when at our weakest.

it’s in those moments of complete despair,

those moments of uncertainty,

those moments of – fear,

that we offer up our most sincere us.

 

when everything that confines –

restricts –

disables –

is stripped away –

then,

and only then,

can we come to terms with what defines us.

and sometimes,

even when we wish it were not so,

we find ourselves holding hands with hope.

and as hard as we try –

despite the diligence of our no –

the perseverance of our will,

to not –

we care…

 

in that moment we understand the blessing.

in that perfect moment –

we appreciate the gift.

what feeling more complete than joy from pain –

smiles from tears –

accommodation of shelter –

when lost and oh so lonely –

abandoned (it seems) –

in the rain…

voices.

we have.

different.

some loud.

some soft.

and so we speak.

 

sometimes the words serve as comfort –

sooth a spirit torn apart –

mend a broken heart.

and then –

sometimes,

the words simply cannot contain themselves.

emotion overflows the chamber of their restriction.

and as they gush from a place imagined dry –

parched from a sun invincible,

we feel the sound of their hurt,

we hear them cut the air like thunder – precedes lightening…

 

if only, at that moment of careless abandon, we could – interfere with the release…

this truth –

if we can pass by – on the street – our brother without a coat,

standing in the rain.

if we can ignore – sitting all alone –

our sister giving in to demons,

resistance gone.

 

if we can close our eyes at night –

recite prayers inclined to elevate our us,

and yet recuse ourselves from ownership of the sin of indifference,

what merit is there in our testimony?

 

how can we utter allegiance to this God we’ve never seen,

yet disallow admittance of even the least of these into our sanctuary?

 

voices,

we have.

and yet we choose silence.

all the while –

on bended knee –

assuming blessing we simply have not earned…