I wake again
with the weight of my world 
on my shoulders. 
I choose
to get up, 
to do my knee strengthening exercises, 
to put drops in my aging eyes, 
to make coffee, 
and sit
in the quiet with You. 

Ah, there it is. 
A constriction in my throat 
wants company, 
wants to be seen and felt, 
stronger, louder now
until 
I hear You say, 
This is hard 
and feel You take my hand. 
I’m right here. 

You don’t make it better 
or fix anything.
You wait with me
until we hear  
these feelings say
they are protecting 
my essence.

Tears come 
and ease–

until You add: 
You know, your essence
is Me.

My throat begins to throb:
So much of me isn’t You.

That weight
is on My shoulders,
You say

and everything in me
softens. 

My deepest me is God! 
–St. Catherine of Genoa, 1447–1510 (paraphrased) .

Credits and References:
Waking up by Monteregina (Nicole). Used with permission.
Awakening by Esther Hizsa, 2026
“Water is the essence of wetness” by mohmlet. Used with permission.

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2026.
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without permission from Esther Hizsa is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used provided there is a link to the original content and credit is given as follows: © Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim 2013-2026.  http://www.estherhizsa.com