Longing
A poem . . .
table, ice box, wooden placements smile
walls shelter
floor embraces
daughter grabs a glass, with a swipe of her hair
mother pours
hearts are shared
over nibbles and soon to be giggles
with kind smirk of longing eyes
due to departure that flies
i see chairs not pushed out, but in
no open fridge and closed hinge
absent of structure
dismissal of ground
i smile with unseen flood
i observe something called people with the tie of genetics
they have open body posture and are opposite of frantic
a vessel is shared over honest, “how are you’s?”
my heart is covered by a stone beam
layered by tornado debris
i swirl my hair
i grab the screen, to maybe be seen
i scroll for some validating
perhaps it will pour me a cup
to help decrease this heart of mix up
if upspring sat across
would I be this lost
in the depth of the soul i’m reminded
“I AM here”
not just legs of wood and food, but a wedding banquet is presented
fragrances of all types are lifted and communed
i express my heart, and He shares His
He watches with His ears and listens with His eyes
i form a smile that lifts the foreseen shadowed skies
i'm embraced and it helps release the desire
deep breath of knowing
exhales the weaning
laments become more settled
as I nestle . . . in Him
Scripture Inspiration: Psalm 34:18 A video of me reading . . .
I only made a couple mistakes, lol. Not easy reading your writings. Healing, but not easy. Do you guys like when people read their poetry or do you prefer to just read?
Thoughts?
I would love to know how this poem spoke to you. Feel free to comment. Blessings beautiful ones 🖤
Photo Recognition: Giuseppe Argentino on Unsplash. Thank you!
Ashley,
The movement from observing ordinary family intimacy to the ache of longing, then finally to the gentle awareness of God’s presence, feels very authentic and deeply biblical. Scripture often holds that same tension: real human longing alongside the assurance that “the Lord is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). Your poem doesn’t rush past the ache; it lets it breathe, which is where healing often begins.
The image of reaching for the screen “to maybe be seen” especially resonated. Many of us recognize that impulse, searching for belonging or validation in places that can only partially satisfy. Yet the turn toward the divine “I AM here” reframes everything. Biblically, our deepest belonging isn’t ultimately rooted in perfect human connection but in God’s steady presence (Isaiah 43:1–2; John 6:35 imagery of Christ as the true sustainer).
As for your question: hearing poets read their work often adds another layer, cadence, pauses, emotion; it can make the experience more relational. But both reading and listening have their place.
Thank you for sharing something so vulnerable. The closing image of “nestling in Him” captures a gentle, hopeful resting place without denying the longing that brought you there.
Blessings,
Ze Selassie
I think this is such a great reminder of how the Lord is with us in the mundane of day to day life. What may be seen on the outside could be completely different from conditions of ones' soul. Through the discomfort, pain, & suffering, we must remind ourselves of the rejoicing that we can have due to the comfort we find with & in Jesus.