
The path is dusty.
The sun warm on my face.
The air is redolent with the tang of olives.
He comes to me, barefoot;
Long robes swishing;
A smile on his face.
I am hesitant.
I have dissed his people a lot.
What word might he have for me?
“Be at peace. You are loved as you are.”
My eyes well up.
“Am I indeed loveable?”
“From the beginning and always.
You are a gift to yourself, a gift to the universe.”
“But the path has been so hard.
I’ve felt so alone and sad.”
“You have been disconnected
from your deepest self;
The place of connection to most Holy Mystery,”
“How do I connect?”
“Be still, listen to the silence.
Don’t depend on your feelings or your thoughts.
Listen for intuition’s wisdom.”
He grasps my hand and blesses me
by touching my heart.
Then he is gone.
The sense impression of him lingers.
I place a hand on my heart and weep.
I know not if it is joy or grief.
I am alone, again, but not lonely,


Catherine Coates is the author of the books, Longing for Intimacy: Glimmers of Hope, and Like as a Hart: Poems to Quench Longing. She has also published a set of inspirational cards, Musings on Grace.
Her next book will be considerations of Jewish/Christian theological tenets which arose in her after spending time in a Christian cult.
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