SOULmate
by Gerald T. Ching
As the days creep on in their persistence
I walk along a lonely stretch of earth, gazing.
In the distance, Your lone figure breaks the horizon,
the vaporous heat exhales itself from the ground
blurring and shimmering.
Heavy, persistent, burdensome thoughts
weigh upon my fevered mind. With the sun high in the sky,
I make my way towards You. Sweat flows freely
from the pores of my skin, tiny snowflakes of salt form
as I slowly dehydrate in the heat.
Crackling lips longing for moisture
burn with the passing of the hour, Your figure
still an oasis within my eyes. Throwing
each apathetic foot forward in a mechanical shuffle,
I am bound to this mission until my death.
Shriveling like a prune, I become
like sand with the passing of the hour.
My fate flashes before me
as I fall with the setting sun into deep slumber.
Within this peacefulness,
I find a wellspring of hope.
Tears well as the seal is broken
to this resource of unending strength.
Filled, refreshed, and rested
I rise with the dawn. As the day’s heat
starts its relentless onslaught, red fills my vision
as I slowly open my eyes.
Focusing within these fleeting first seconds
Your Holy Spirit encompasses all – reassuringly steadfast.
With the last bit of my own strength seeping away, I fall
into Your arms. Within Your arms I curl
like a newborn longing for security.
Questions rise to my lips
but go unspoken – Your Voice
resounds in my mind, answering all.
For in my weakness
Your strength carried me to You.
This long journey back home ends
with a blinding lightning show
as tiny rain droplets fall from a clouding sky,
refreshingly washing away
the memories of a painful life apart.
Together at last, the mission complete,
You envelop me completely,
giving me sweet refuge.