Bystander

Dare I confess
the hollowness
of my heart

How emptiness
echoes in its chambers
How lost I feel inside

This is no sanctity
no secure refuge
my withdrawal is a sham

I stand by, observe –
circles entwine, embrace –
recognize the power of love

Practice the words
extend warmth
and retreat, before

connection ignites
convinced as I am
that the vacancy is merited.

(Image from personal collection.)

Published by

VJ

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

28 thoughts on “Bystander”

    1. Thanks Julie. The image started as a photograph of tracks on ice. I played with the colour and texture to create this image of isolation – a lonely path. Of course, it speaks of much more than just that to me also.

      Liked by 2 people

  5. This one hit home. It reminds me of a time in my life when I envisioned by heart as a shriveled walnut on a string just banging around my empty chest. Shortly after having that vision, I quit my job.

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.