Still
Emily Turner and Michael Watson, High Hill, Texas
Do you know those days you feel like you’re
Right where you’re supposed to be
The pace fits your soul
Most things feel easy
Birds chirp, cicadas hum, breezes rustle
There is space to breathe, to remember, to dream
Someone mowing their yard reminds you
Of the simplicity and beauty of everyday life
You smile, noticing that this sound
Would usually annoy you, interrupt, agitate
But not today
Things you remember praying for are suddenly
Before your eyes
Childlike lightness even seems
To appear in your step
But it has been a while since
These requests, petitions, longings were said aloud,
Written down or voiced to a friend, to the Universe
It seemed like God might have forgotten
And besides that
The misalignment, monotony, oppression,
Abuse, sickness, misunderstandings
Have worn you down
Your prayer became more subdued
Something you carried in your heart, lodged deep within
But also, it kept you going, though you didn’t speak of it
It became part of you
You might have wondered if it –
this desire, hope for freedom, want for more
Did it even matter?
Are you immune to joy and gladness?
Are these experiences reserved, set aside for others?
Still
A deep hope, kind of lodged in your soul
God promised
So, you kept this belief inside of you
And occasionally it was reinforced
Perhaps something in nature
Like a ladybug
Or a rainbow
Or a word from a stranger
Or a dream
Reminded you that someday
Someday
You would be right where you wanted to be
Is this God’s will?
Heaven on earth?
Finding a calling?
The mysterious notion of time.
Our time, God’s time.
But today, you are totally content
Right where you want to be
Feeling love flowing through you and all around
So much beauty in all of it
And all you can muster up
To say is
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Let it be.
Still was originally written for House of Healing, a collection of poetry, essays and photography. You can purchase a copy or ebook version here.