you don’t
You don’t feel close here
in this empty room,
bare walls, bare space.
I look around, feel
the weight of absence
—where are you?
And the friends who loved
me, fought beside me?
Victory we knew was ours?
Someday, someday my
hands reach to grasp yours
and I am surely hold-
ing only air. Yet
I’m learning to trust
this heart, its opinions,
the weight of its beauty—
strength, glory with you.
For surely, you clear
the room—we two side
by side, your presence
filling all emptiness
‘til it is crammed,
crammed with love even
though there is no one,
no one but you and
me here.
—jennifer j. camp
6 Comments
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This is lovely and beautiful. I hope these become a book soon! XO 🙂
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Wow, Perfect description of How I’ve felt on days when I forget How very present God is in my Life & my soul & when I’m reminded I’m enveloped in his Love💗 what a sweet embrace it is❣️
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I don’t know your story, but I know that through these poems you share a glimpse of what it might have been. Thank you. I have always loved to draw, but never dared. Suppressed dreams I suppose. I have been taking lessons with an art teacher and we are drawing birds. I love birds. I love to sit outside and watch them flit here and these and to hear them sing their song–especially this time of year.
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Hi Debbie, I love that you are letting His love for you move through you as you draw. How beautiful those moments with Him must be! Oh, I have so many stories of experiencing Holy Spirit’s presence through birds! Bless you as you create beauty with Him!
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This poem really spoke to me, as I have been feeling so alone lately. My husband passed away 4 1/2 years ago and my mom who lived with us passed away 6 months ago. I now sit alone in this big empty house. But, I know God is here with me and always has been. Thank you Jennifer for these poems, your Loop devotions and the Rush podcast. I have been inspired and lifted up by them. God’s blessings to you.
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OH, Marian, I am so sorry. This weight is too heavy to bear on your own. So thankful we don’t need to bear these burdens on our own. Praying for you to feel His closeness, His love holding you in the midst of this ache. You are not forgotten. You are seen here. You are loved here. He does not leave you. Much love to you now, sister.