Return Again

Return again, return again
Return to the land of your soul
Return again, return again
Return to the land of your soul

Return to what you are
Return to who you are
Return to where you are born and reborn again.
–Shaina Noll, Return Again

Come home, I say
to all the parts of me.
I’m sorry.
Please, forgive me.
I love you.
Thank you.

These poor dears
have taken care of me
the best they could,
when I forgot to bring them in at night,
when I neglected to feed and water,
nuzzle or kiss them.

Their fears unbridled,
they did what they could
to comfort and sustain me,
as one wave of stress washed in upon another.
They carried me through
but not without cost
to body and soul.

And now,
now that life has settled down,
and Lent begins,
I hear a voice calling in the wilderness.
Come home.
Come home to me.
Return again
to the land of your soul.

You sing these songs
to me
and all my prodigal parts.
When we return and rest,
moment by moment,
again and again–
we are seen,
heard,
comforted,
and safe.

In returning and rest,
I am saved.
In quietness and trust
I find strength
to want and do
what is good.

Wild horses calling,
and the moon wind runs through your hair.
Your dark eyes are raging
but your heart will call you home,
and I’ll be there.
–Ardyth and Jennifer, Calling