The Pure Loneliness

Photo credit: ozden from morguefile.com

Late at night, when you’re so lonely,

your shoulders curl toward the center of your body,

you call no one and you don’t call out.

This is dignity. This is the pure loneliness

that made Christ think he was God.

This is why lunatics smile at their thoughts.

Even the best moment, as you slip

half-a-foot deep into someone you like,

sinks through the loneliness in it

to the loneliness that’s not.

If you believe Christ hanging on the cross,

his arms spread as if to embrace

the Father he calls who is somewhere else,

you still might hear your own voice

at your next great embrace, thinking

loneliness in another can’t be touched,

like Christ’s voice at death answering Himself.

~ Michael Ryan

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Language... has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone.
~ Paul Tillich