You, yes You … the One standing in the Shadows;
Your gaze flows out and around to where I’m bound,
And yet without sound, silence so loud that You
Overcome the overcrowded cacophony quite audibly;
Waiting, not baiting me … just waiting patiently
For me to be and to become the someone I was ever
Meant to be for the world to see; did I understand?
Oh, I had my demands and commands to the world,
Expecting You to bless, but You did not reprimand;
No, I did not understand…
Transcendent and immanent, high and low, powerful
Yet so weak and meek: Every single blow to creation
And every devastation shows in Your face so laced
With pain and suffering, yet differing, wondering,
Puzzling and even somehow strangely comforting…
Out from the Shadows…
You, yes You, have been waiting, not baiting me;
You, enwrapping the whole of the Cosmos, yet closer
To me than my very breath, Life above, beyond death;
And so now I walk, no talk, to the place You stand,
Your gaze my only command, Your hand an invitation
To the deep sensation of bright Light in the Shadows;
For what more could I ask than to bask in Your love
From above? To be reborn after being so terribly torn?
You, yes You … the One standing in the Shadows…
noblethemes 
Wow!
U r amazing Jonathan!
U create magic! With words and unlimited humors!
Just love the way u write
Good evenin dear!
Thank you so very much, Jyotee! Good morning from here! 🙂 🙂
I wish you’d check your mail 🙂
While I read your poem thoroughly
Jon, have you ever got shivers after reading something? This is what that happened to me. Jon, please let the prodigal return. I think I know who is the one lurking in the shadows here. Once again, you have managed to come up with such a power-packed piece, it’s kryptonite it’s dynamite! I did 3 readings exactly just to be sure I do not miss anything, any subtle nuance any blatant accusation any self loathing any introspection, resignation in the hands of fate and so on and so forth. And so I repeat, let the prodigal return. If need be, MAKE him return. The one lurking in the shadows is a figment of your imagination. I ask you to look beyond the shadows, beyond clouded judgements, beyond wounds and see the ray of light that is surely there, I have no doubt. You may even see me for all you know. Anything it takes… to just look beyond. :):)
Extremely powerful this was, you are my mentor. Your diction is to die for!
Oh my, what do I say??? Your words of approbation are absolutely overwhelming! As for the One in the Shadows, you say that is a figment of my imagination? I believe it is Someone who loves me very deeply and has always been there (or here.) This poem is mystical-spiritual and is actually an extended expression of the prodigal returning! Thank you once again for such magnificent compliments. (Truly, I feel unworthy.) As always, all the best to you w/love, peace, joy and blessings!
I got that too. Which is why I wrote I think I know who’s lurking in the shadows. I could be wrong though. Having said that, do you understand what you have with this poem? It can be read in so many ways. And i read it now for the 7th time. I dont think i have read the same poem so many back to back. And I’m still pondering. Thank you Jon.
Wow! Now you really HAVE left me speechless! Honestly …. I have no words! (Which is unusual! lol) Thank you once again, my dear friend!
Silly me, i sent the same comment twice. And im still not done. Whats happening? This poem has certainly touched me, moved me deep. I must reblog this. It would be a shame if i didn’t. After all, never before have I read the same poem 7 times at a go and come up with something new unravelled. Magnificent, Jon. Take 7 bows! Kowtow!
At this point I can only say that this poem came from the very depths of my soul… Thank you for the honor and privilege of having it reblogged on your site!
Oh but you one of those (like me, may I add) who know only to write from the soul and not from the head. This was an absolute gem
And yet, I have another intepretation. Wait!
Just did my 4th reading.
I cannot believe i missed an important point here. The most important point, in fact. There’s FAITH abound. Oh my God how could I not see that?? I’m so disappointed in myself. I’m so sorry Jon. I saw shadows and i saw the light. What I missed was you standing in between. Oh now im trembling. How beautiful! The faith! Oh yes Faith! And Gratitude, thanks, praise…things we can give with empty hands. The only things that we can give even when we have nothing on us. Hold on tight to that, Jon like you are. Don’t let go, no matter how tired your arms feel.
Yes! Now you have truly “hit the nail on the head!” Thank you over and over again, Nandita! 🙂
I got that too. Which is why I wrote I think I know who’s lurking in the shadows. I could be wrong though. Having said that, do you understand what you have with this poem? It can be read in so many ways. And i read it now for the 7th time. I dont think i have read the same poem so many back to back. And I’m still pondering. Thank you Jon.
Reblogged this on Manan Unleashed and commented:
Never before in my life have I read a poem 7 times in one go. And come up with different interpretations every single time. My dear friend and mentor Jon has clean bowled me with this dynamite of a poem. Deeper than deep, thought-provoking to the core, inspiring to the hilt, and with a secret message apart from so many hidden gems that took me 7 readings to discover and still leaving me pondering as I write this…please read carefully, thoroughly, and marvel at the manyfold dimension this single piece holds. May I request you to go to his site directly.
Deep, powerful, stunning, ’nuff said. I’m in awe of this one, Jon! Marvellously done!
Thank you so very much, Kunal!
This is one of the most beautiful, most profound, most mystical, most soul inspiring poems I have EVER read. It is beyond any words to truly describe it…so beyond this earthly realm is it…just as the One/ God/ Essence/ Source…we try to find words to describe but fall so so short if we even try to go there. This is a treasure, a pure pearl. Your words, your writing style, your flow , your graceful lines all leave me dumbstruck! You, yes You…powerful words in their repetition, yet closer to me than my very breath, Life above, beyond death…and, now I walk, no talk, to the place You stand…This has fed my soul so so deeply Jon. I am moved, so moved by this. Amen to you my friend and may you be blessed, today and always. 🙂 🌈
Oh, Krysia, thank you so much! Your most gracious words of approbation make my heart smile. And to know that you have found in my words treasured blessing profoundly humbles me. Thank you again and again!
You are most welcome and the Thanks come from me. Shalom my friend. 🙂
Your poetry is……can’t find the words to express but it moves me. Continue doing what you do.
Thank you so very, very much!