I know the war that keeps you wary, and the burden that you carry,
and the weight that seems to tarry as you search for something more.
This road was never in your goal, but if to harness some control,
and reach a silence in your soul, perhaps you’ll wait to close the door.
I hear the constant, aching humming, and the beat that keeps on drumming,
with the flood that won’t stop coming, though you try to shut it out.
I can see the trail of tears that you trace back throughout the years,
and I can feel the sting that sears in forms of chaining, binding doubt.
It’s right to feel that it’s no use to beg these bonds to cut you loose;
they can’t provide escape or truce if they’re what keep you tied.
But pleas to God won’t go unheard, despite their murmured, shapeless slur.
You’re kept in Him; you always were—as was promised when He died.
I know at times you feel so cold, like you were never strong or bold,
but know I only want to hold you when you tell yourself these lies.
If I’m the only one who sees, who hears you whisper in the breeze,
then let me find some way to ease the tears that I see in your eyes.
Dear friend, I’ve been here before: I touched the flame that shook my core;
it left me burned, but wanting more—to see once more if I could stand.
I only wish for you to know the thoughts you battle to and fro
are mine to share, though you may go where I can scarcely reach your hand.
You’ll never face this war alone, but you don’t take the time to own
the words I wish that you had known the days when you felt weak.
Did you forget the pact we made, to never let our friendship fade?
My hand in yours, and there we stayed to let the silent moments speak.
I know, I hear, I see it all; the things you do to build your wall.
But bricks won’t catch you when you fall, and towers cave in too.
I’ve seen the loneliest of places and the absence of the faces
that have yearned to see the traces of the smile I wish for you.
What will it take; what can I say for you to know that come what may
I’ll never turn and walk away from what we fought so hard to keep?
So when the tears seep past your grip and every step becomes a slip,
rest easy; know your heart won’t rip—I’ll hold it while you sleep.
Dear friend, I’ll stay with you tonight, I’ll wrap my arms around you tight;
I’ll wait with you and look for light, through rifts that reach a thousand miles.
No inch of space I’ll leave unturned, no bridge to harm I’ll pass unburned;
I’ll cross the earth for you to learn I deeply ache to see you smile.
Cindy Green is a forest-wandering, poetry-scribbling stargazer with messy notebooks and messy thoughts. Despite her love for all of God’s creation, sunflowers and stars in particular have a way of sneaking into both her writing and her heart (but you won’t hear her complaining about it). She is an amateur sword-wielder with a Highland-dancing warrior spirit who also writes letters to the moon and considers the sky her best friend. A focused daydreamer, organized pack rat, and oblivious observer, she is a self-professing ambivert (or a living contradiction) who deeply feels both the beauty and fallen state of the world. Through her words, she hopes to describe the indescribable and form personal connections with people while reflecting a love for her Savior and a passion for everything she touches.
Oh, words. I don’t have them.
Sometimes it’s the simplest comments that make me smile the most. This was definitely one of them.
This may be your best piece yet, Cindy. I teared up halfway through and still haven’t quite recovered. So, so beautiful. <3
Rachel <3 Your reaction touched me so much. I'm sad I couldn't be there to give you a hug, but your kind words are deeply appreciated. 🙂
So beautiful! It brought out so many emotions in me and made me cry. Beautifully written and emotionally stirring to read. I agree with Rachel Rogers, this is probably one of your best poems.
Aww, thank you so much, Rae! 🙂
Beautiful!
Glad you liked it! Thanks for reading. 🙂
This poem makes me want to cry, but those last line wipes away those tears and replaces them with a smile that reaches into my heart. ❤️ Well done, Cindy!
If it made you cry and smile at the same time, I truly do feel victorious 😀 Your endless stream of encouragement means more than you know, dear girl.
Amazing!
Aw, thanks! 🙂
This was beautiful. I think the fact that you wrote with such flawless rhythm and rhyming added a lot to the beauty of this piece. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I appreciate that so much, Libby! I love trying to get the rhythm and rhyming just right. As a friend once described: it feels like a puzzle you have to fit together. 🙂
You made me cry. Absolutely beautiful.
Aww <3 I'm so glad it touched you.
This truly touched my soul. Thank you, Cindy!
Mm, you’re making me tear up. Love you, Bethany!
This is so beautiful! I am so floored by the emotion in this piece. Absolutely stunning.
Thinking of a special friend was the emotion behind this piece, so I’m glad it came through <3 Thank you for your lovely encouragement!
W…oah.
Um.
First I was like ‘oooh, love the rhythm!’ and then ‘wow, symbolism… I feel this…’ now I just want to send this to all the people I love and cry over it with them.
I know exactly how you feel! I just read it again and was trying to think of who I should send it to. Definitely one of my favoritest of Cindy’s poems. 💖
You guys ❤️ 😀
Um, I know I only saw this just now when its been on here for a while, but this is one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL THINGS I HAVE EVER READ! Just wow. It really touched me.