By Sarah Spradlin
I understand your hesitation, dear one.
Life has fallen so far from perfect.
You’re left shattered,
staring at the broken pieces of what was your normal life,
struggling to find the words to say goodbye to what was good,
and safe,
and predictable,
tired of searching for the silver lining,
tired of looking on the bright side.
Nobody died, so
the world has moved on quickly,
and alone is all you feel
as you wrap yourself in the sorrow
that comes from losing something you can’t name.
Let me invite you to the funeral for my friends,
normal and pretending everything’s okay.
Things are different now,
and it’s okay to cry,
it’s okay to wrestle with the reality you’ve landed in.
I don’t expect things will ever be the same,
but let me stand by you at your funeral for normal,
let me listen as you say goodbye.
Just being there will be enough.
Let me hold your hand as whatever comes next is born.
I’ll leave the panel on the fence at my house loose if you want,
but please come to the front door.
Bring your mess,
bring your loud music and dance moves,
bring all your dreams, but especially the hard-to-reach ones
(we’ve got a step-stool),
bring your kids and your racist grandma,
bring your boyfriends and girlfriends,
bring your heart.
When you look up at the stars, I hope you know
one of them was lit for you,
and its shining is enough for me.
I hope you know there will always be brighter, stronger stars in the sky.
Perhaps you are not Andromeda’s eye.
Perhaps you do not string Orion’s belt,
nor sit on Scorpio’s spine
or seal the ladle’s lip.
But remember, dearest heart,
the storms that cover the sky are not governed by the light of the brightest stars,
and perhaps, dearest,
you will only be seen by one or two hearts lost at sea—
you will be the star that shines through the storm.
You will break through the clouds and be the one to light up their dark.
How unforgettable you will be, little one, to those two lost at sea.
Don’t confuse vulnerability with weakness—
trust in the stars that have shone on you,
and when the time comes,
when it is your turn to shine,
shine like the North Star.
When you are the only star shining into someone else’s darkness,
through the storms surrounding them,
your light will seem greater than any that has ever shone before,
and I have loved you since you first rose—
ever since you graced these horizons with your light,
and even if no one else noticed,
I did.
Oh, and let me introduce you to my new friend:
she says she goes by authenticity,
and I believe her.
Sarah grew up in Georgia with her mom, dad, and little sister, Merry, where she attends the University of Georgia, majoring in International Affairs and Agriculture Communication. When she graduates, Sarah wants to help people all over the world succeed in the agricultural industry and tell the all-important story of the farmer. Sarah has been homeschooled, private-schooled, and graduated from Madison County High School in May 2015. She attended Summit in July 2015. She’s lived in Costa Rica for seven months, hung out in Panama for a few days, and dreams of visiting and working in Nicaragua. She’ll read pretty much anything and has tried her hand at almost every kind of writing, though she likes poetry best. But because writing bios is a struggle, if you really want to get to know Sarah, shove some words in her general direction on her instagram @sarah.spradlin or email her at sspradlin@uga.edu.
Oh my word, Sarah! This piece is so encouraging and speaks to me on such a deep level. <3 Thank you for sharing!
Hey girl!! I am so glad that you were encouraged by reading my poem!! <3 🙂
I’m so glad you decided to submit this, lovely. It stands out as one of my favorites and the more times I reread the more I appreciate it! I hope you continue to show your face around here.
Aww!! Thank you, you lovely human. 🙂 I’m excited to be here and to share!
*hugs this poem* Every time I see this, it makes me happier. Thank you for sharing, Sarah! It’s awesome to see you here <3
Ah! Cindy!! I missed you! I’m so excited to be here!! 😀 Thank you for reading!
Wow. What a beautiful and encouraging poem. Thank you for sharing. *hugs*
*bear hugs* Thank you so much for reading!! 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 😉
This poem is so beautiful and uplifting and it really touched me more deeply than I can say. Thank you for writing, I felt like this was a gift from God. (:
*hugs* I am so glad, Heather! Thank you so much for taking the time to read it, and know that I’m cheering you on through whatever you’re walking through! <3
Sarah, what else can I say that everyone else hasn’t already said? This is such a wonderful reminder to me and I’m so grateful I read it. Thank you! <3
Thank you so much, Libby!! I’m so thankful for you taking the time to read my poem! <3 🙂
That was really helpful for me right now. Beautiful poem! Thank you for sharing.:)
Hey there, Sereena! Thank you for reading it! I’m so glad that it was helpful. Cheering you on! <3 🙂
WOW!!! Just WOW!!!!
Thanks so much, Martha!!
!!! Sarah!! It has been way too long since I read any of your poetry. This was like finding a familiar face unexpectedly. 😀 Welcome back!
KATE!!!! I’ve missed you so much, my friend! Thank you so much for reading!! <3 🙂
Oh my goodness! After all these years I still thoroughly enjoy reading your writing 🙂 This reminds me of so many conversations we’ve had. It’s beautiful.
🙂 🙂 🙂 Thanks so much, Brooke!! You were definitely one of my first readers. xD <3
Sarah, you made me cry! This is stunningly hopeful and compassionate and uplifting, all at once! Thank you so much for blessing us all with this poem. I hope to see your work again!
Your comment made my whole morning, Katherine!! 🙂 I am so glad that you liked it and that you took the time to read it!!