Separate Worlds

There are two worlds I encounter often. One I don't belong to, the other I am a part of. This is inspired by recents trips to the bar, and the prayer closet. In which place do you most belong? Written in 2007

There is a place beyond the wall of smoke
where ashes line the doorway, and many people gather
Entering a world I am not a part of, I watch and I wonder.
As everyone else drinks the bitterness, enters conversations, forgets pain, and briefly opens souls.
In this place of dim lights, glimmering eyes, and glasses clanging, a brief unity is found.
Where conversations are repeated between friends (but no one notices), laughter is shared, and songs are sung loud.
A man cries because he doesn’t have a friend to listen to the radio with him anymore
A woman spends several dollars to play a trivia game that makes her feel good
I can smell the foul odors, and I can see the sad hearts.
I wonder what these people sense, and what they don‘t see.
I watch as the bitter drought erases their pain, and instills in them confusion.
I sit in sadness to see memories made, but quickly forgotten...
I watch and I wonder... as I take a sip of my water
Friendships formed for a few hours, hearts are poured out, and then passing back through the smoke, forgotten in the night.
Stumbling home confused, waking up with headaches, having to face life again.
Awaiting the hours until they can enter the bar again.

There is a place beyond the closet curtain
where pressing all around me, are boxes, clothes, and shoes
Entering a world that’s quiet and peaceful, I close my eyes
As everyone else is doing their own thing, I enter conversation, am released from pain, and open my soul.
In this place of dark quiet, folded hands, and bent knees, a real unity is found.
Where conversations are shared with my closest friend (He always listens), my heart becomes contrite, and songs are sung aloud.
I start to cry because I don’t have to carry that burden of sin anymore
I wear out my hand from writing because it helps me to remember
I cannot see hardly anything, but I can sense the Savior’s love.
I wonder what is yet to come, and who I’ll someday be.
I pray and the Lord calms my soul, instilling in me a new hope
I sit in gladness to have memories made, and long lasting healing
I listen and I wonder... as I speak to my Heavenly Father
Unity was formed, my heart was poured out, and though passing back through the curtain, never forgotten in His sight.
Stumbling onward strengthened, waking up renewed everyday, facing the abundant life
Awaiting the hours until I can pray in the closet again.