Longed For

Longed For

(“Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:20)

There are voices that create images,
a phone call that draws your face.
There are heartbeats that create longing,
a breath that inspires memory.

Yesterday was a runaway train;
ache was a body, ache was a mind,
ache was a stiff iron rod that nailed the day
shut.

There are photos that create voices,
a crayon drawing held by magnets.
There are windows that frame our yearning,
a stained glass that refracts every song.

Today is a blue sky after the snow teased it
early morning.
Winter is crystal, sun is weak, air is crispy,
ache was an effigy, an avatar, a hollow replacement
for loved ones

Longed for.