when left alone with my thoughts on a cold winter's night...

The Furlough Year

It is,

a Paradox of Time: 

     at once both exceedingly long and much too

          short.

It is,

a Physical Irony:

     meant for rest and yet constantly

          on-the-go.

It is,

an Emotional Whirlwind:

     sorrowful goodbyes swirling into joy filled

          hellos.

It is,

a Returning Conundrum:

     where is home and do I belong

          there?

It is,

a Weighty Transition:

     pack. what?  settle. temporarily? explain. 

          how?

It is,

an Awkward Intermission:

     Lingering remnants of the past bleeding into unknowns of

          the future.

It is,

a Comical Relief:

     laughing over habits of the third world showing up

          in the first.

It is,

a Distinct Dichotomy:

     belonging here, belonging there, but never belonging

          anywhere.

It is,

an Unspeakable Loneliness:

     cannot be explained, cannot be seen,

          simply is.

It is,

a Well-Versed Speech:

     pictures that show four years of life and ministry,

          any questions?