I wrote this poem in 2009, during a time of spiritual darkness and great longing to return to God. (there is a reason that my handle is ProdigalOne)

It is based on Psalms 51:10-12

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit."




The Question

Father are You there? My keyboard taps return
to me: empty, like the space beneath
beating wings, like the pause between
heartbeats, like the moment before
lungs expand, and I wonder will the next breath
ever come?

Father are You there? Buried deep in plastic letters,
my trembling fingers poke and prod, seeking the solid,
the symbols Divine, the meaning to define this thought,
this mortality, this sin soaked being, this soul so lost,
this far off son.

Father are You there? In my time of stress and emptiness,
will you come? Will You be the One to hold my hand
and stand beside me? Will You fill this dark and jagged
hole and restore my faith once more?

Father are You there? Have I fallen too far to find You?
With my filth of broken trust and sin, am I something
best left behind You?

Father are You there? With arms spread wide in welcome,
are You there? And do You Love me?

Do You still Love me?