Even Closer

Photo by Jennie Roberts Jenkins

I thought you weren't there

   because I couldn't feel you

      for the intensity of my circumstances.

The feelings of your gentle, general

   presence were wiped away

      by the trauma I faced.

As I learn to read the story

   over again, I see you are everywhere

      so close and surrounding me,

         especially when night's at its darkest.

What I thought and felt

   as your absence was

      an intensity of presence

         for which I had no reference point.

"Trust" you whisper. "Hold on,

   because I'll never let go of you."

© 2015 Todd Jenkins