When loss lingers
by Amelia Thompson
When loss lingers
Upending you of the hope of its departure
Certainly
You’ll always live in lack
Only caressing dreams of that abundant life
That abundant lie
Lingering to remind you of all your inadequacy
All of your inequity
Forget the cross
Take up this loss, on your back
Shouldering it like it's a confidant
When loss lingers you lose the desire to carry on
And on these winds it sets its sail
Hoping you sail away with it
Losing yourself in its winds of lessened hope
Not as dark as hopeless but not far off
Off black
To color all of your days
Losstinged eyes don't cry
For even here
tears have lost
their way
Amelia completed undergraduate studies at Vassar College and graduate school at St. John’s University. She loves pad see ew and currently serves in the Youth and Community Affairs Departments at her local church, Christian Cultural Center. With friends, she uses poetry to help build community. Find out more at wewritelife.org. Contact her at amelia@wewritelife.org