Some people who grow up never feeling loved
remain in motion afraid to stop.
While others turn into stone
unable to take the first step of any journey.
Paul walked into a church, lit a candle
and sought refuge from his loneliness.
It was not the image of Christ on the cross
or the story of salvation that he treasured.
It was the shadow of the cross
in the wavering candle light against the wall
and how in this heavy solitude no one asked him
for something he did not have to give.
copyright © 2020 Kenneth P. Gurney
