By: Jordyn Middleton (’25), Staff Writer
I’ve seen you climbing
reaching for new heights
hoping to not encounter new fights along your battlefield
and somewhere between war, and now you lost pieces of yourself
and I wonder what it will feel like when you make it home
when you can stop climbing up all those mountains
but until then I’ll write about how I saw you last night digging holes to hide those pieces you lost
I witnessed you open your backpack looking at pictures they mailed you
The tears cascade
And somehow you find yourself wondering
How will I make it through?
Without love?
Without you?
Is this a distant freedom?
Or a longing feeling I must hold onto
From every conversation
From every echo of your voice
For every reason, you have given me to try
And somehow I would hope for you to say
I know you’re dreaming
and when you’re sleeping
just remember that someone once prayed for you
And with each step you take, they are proud of you
for still reaching
new heights
Like them, I too, pray
You find a safe place
and for every time you talk about those mountains you climbed
They will be a part of your testimony
because I understand life is a journey
