Lost and Found, a Poem by Gail E. B. Padilla

The loss of who I thought I was

is difficult to accept. I gasp,

I choke, I try to deny, but a

cavern of emptiness remains whose

void is laced with nerves that

droop with pain sometimes –

vagrants will stake a claim if

I do not rebuild my estate, but the

pain – oh, the pain of those nerves.

The loss of who I thought I was

is difficult to accept. But I

want to illuminate the cavern to

make it safe for Happiness –

remove the nerves of memories,

indecision can leave, too –

unwanted visitors turned back

by orange construction barriers.

The loss of who I thought I was

is difficult to accept. But

the cavern resounds with joy,

glittering lights all around,

as Happiness dances confidently

with Success, the partner

in the cavern of fulfillment.

Thus, I do not regret what

I am about to say –

the loss of who I thought I was

is difficult to accept – but

it is through discontent

that some are spurred to change;

although I may gasp and choke,

the construction dust is settling.

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Gail E. B. Padilla is an award-winning poet and writer. Her manuscripts have received acceptance by The Christian Communicator, Church of God EVANGEL, The Secret Place, Writer’s Exchange (WE!) and other periodicals. The Cincinnati Enquirer has published her op-ed articles. Her work is included in anthologies, including The Heart of a Father (Bethany House).