and still,
i await your return
​
FEATURE
From Hell and Wellness
November 1, 2023
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You left us when we were unprepared
Your love and kindness remain treasures for which we yearn,
We miss the wisdom and humor you shared
And still, I await your return.
​
The profound loss of you is universal
The fires of our love for you will forever burn,
To be reunited with you is a hope that springs eternal
So still, I await your return.
​
Long talks and phone calls that are missed
Will the reality set in? Will I ever learn?
Old habits die hard; they often persist
Yet still, I await your return.
You remain the first person, my best friend
With whom I want to share my thoughts and concerns,
News and dreams, good or bad, beginning and end
For all this, I await your return.
Does my absence in your new world upset you?
Why did you leave us far too soon?
Do you watch over me from Heaven above?
Do you still feel the love?
Are we destined to be together again?
Will our miraculous reunion happen then?
My place with you in Heaven I have yet to earn
Alas, I await your return.
Did you ascend like the rising Phoenix?
In your resolve, you always remained firm,
Facing trials and tribulations like the Greek soldier, Dienekes
Here and now, I await your return.
A void remains where you once were
Yours is a presence I can easily discern,
You’ve never really left me or this world
But still, I await your return.
You and Dad reassured me from that glorious place
More than once, together, and in turn,
The love you both provided I will always embrace
For these reasons, I await your return.
The Beast, the King of Evil, Twisted Lies
In the fiery pits of Hell, he wanted me to burn,
You had hope and faith, and helped me to rise
For this holy gift, I await your return.
I know now that you await me as well
I reunited with you once before, after a Taste of Hell,
You helped lift me out of an eternity of despair and fear
To a new beginning at life, and faith that is wondrous and dear,
You shared with me my Journey to Wellness
But then, you were gone, and it overwhelmed us,
I know now that in Heaven, and I can affirm
I will rejoice in your glorious return.
I struggle to become accustomed to my loss,
I await.
To be apart for now is the cost,
I await.
I know and have faith this solemn reality is true.
I await.
But the rewards will be infinite for me and for you,
Until then, I await.
I acknowledge and accept with a heavy heart
That, for now, we must be apart,
Life and hope are precious gifts, and I will waste neither
Faith is the greatest affirmation; no philosophy runs deeper,
We are all God’s children, to be reunited in His Kingdom
There is no more valuable or precious wisdom,
After a long, happy life, I intend to pass through the Pearly Gates
Until then, I await.
With hope and faith, the burden is eased
Mom, I know with me you are pleased
We take comfort, and we rejoice
In one united and glorious voice,
Our best life is for each of us to create
When it’s our time, Heaven and its rewards await,
For us all, we will have our turn,
And still, I await your return.
Mom, I know that you and Dad await also
For matters of faith, there can be no false hope,
My time on Earth is not yet complete
When my time here is done, we will again meet,
Despite how very desperately I yearn
To this Earthly realm, you will never return,
Only a spiritually blind man will never see the light,
With you both, someday in Heaven, I await to reunite.
​