No Longer Ashore
breathing water
Once I walked with You
on solid rock
sure of us, sure of me
Then slowly I slipped
shifting sands
(or was it suddenly pushed?)
away from the surety and under the surface
of frigid darkness,
murky toxicity clouding the glory
struggling to find my way.
Where is up?
Where am I?
Where are You?
Who am I?
Vainly seeking clearer waters
instead I churn the muck
seeking air and light again
marveling at the topsy-turvy people moving
head down above me.
They say they know You.
They say You guide them.
They say I'm lost
I cannot breathe.
Truth: recognizable sparkling distinct clarity
once you were so easy to hold
once you were written
fed to me in the nest
predigested
simple
easy
no
call it opinion
once formed in Truth's light
then clouded
choked in the web of should-s
must-s
conditional rules
strictures that rewrite Scriptures
taking my voice
taking my air
taking
taking
I'm shrinking
sinking deeper
my hand lifts above the surface
beckoning
reaching
missing
that safe shore where my castles once sought Heaven
floating drifting
feet bathed in glory
I find no footing needed
soles/soul no longer burning
from the hidden fires
I don't match that
not a part
longing not belonging
my spirit was not meant for land
I'll swim towards the horizon
open hands
open heart
until my spirit sees You
About the Creator
Judey Kalchik
It's my time to find and use my voice.
Poetry, short stories, memories, and a lot of things I think and wish I'd known a long time ago.
You can also find me on Medium
And please follow me on Threads, too!
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Standing While Falling
Quotation from Friedrich Nietzsche "He who wrestles long with monsters should beware lest he himself become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. Man is not destroyed by suffering, but by the meaning he makes of it."
By LUCCIAN LAYTH5 days ago in Critique
Comments (7)
Judeeey! This is incredible! "longing not belonging" is a heart-hitter (one of a many). Sometimes we just got to leave the shore where we are not who we are, and swim.
I love your imagery of sinking, reaching, and eventually choosing to swim toward the horizon.
"strictures that rewrite Scriptures" I especially loved this line!
Jk - Gotta believe these days! Jk
Such beautiful imagery! Love this!
Powerful poetry!🩵
Love the way you closed this, with the very definition of faith. Well done, Judey!