Lost-ish

And with that, I am back on the side of the midnight road

Where only this moment is real;

Perhaps I never left.

And in the longest moment of the shortest year yet,

I know not how to feel,

But of certainty, bereft.

And a thousand stars emerge in the pavement beneath the streetlights,

and a quiet peace remains,

though the ground's departure stings.

And a part of it might be gone, for trying to find it again;

For a forgotten place retains

the magic of unnamed things.

And since hearing that, at heart, we may each only have one story to tell

I've concluded that this one's mine:

this walk in the still and snow.

And I know not what it means, nor why it struck a lasting chord

Only that there, I was fine

With not knowing where to go,

For I was not too far from something, merely lost-ish within my own soul.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Thank you so much for reading! I wrote this piece while reflecting on the prompt that I came up with for my Unofficial Lost-ish Challenge. Don't worry, contenders, I won't be awarding myself a podium spot!! ;) I picked the prompt because it's a strange, abstract subject that can be interpreted in lots of different and very creative ways - which so many dear friends have shown gloriously with there submissions so far. While enjoying the brilliant, reflective, and profound work of so many folks, I felt compelled to express some of what it means to me to feel 'lost-ish,' too. The challenge is still open for another week and a half (closing February 7th) if anyone wants to join in! (link to the post below) I have been so richly encouraged by the participation and creativity of many wonderful people. Thanks again for stopping by and reading - I hope you are keeping well, friends. Remember that it's always okay to reach out to someone, whether you're feeling lost, lost-ish, or anything else at all. Cheers, friends💙