I Stay and Other Poems

by Julie Priebbenow

I Stay

There are days when the thought of leaving passes through my mind.

Some days more than once.

And yet I stay.

I stay to watch another sunset, because this one might be more beautiful than the last,

And I stay for the solitary wildflowers I like to spot as I drive home from work.

I stay for the cool night breeze that blows through my window as I lie in bed.

I stay for the laughter of my precious child, and for the warmth of my beloved’s arms around me.

I stay for the coffee dates, for the glass of wine with my best friend, and for our midnight trips to Pancake Manor.

I stay for all the songs I still have to listen to,

And I stay to add them to my infinite playlists.

I stay to read all the books on my eternally growing ‘to be read’ pile, and for the poetry I have not yet absorbed into my soul.

I stay for the art I have not yet created,

And I stay for the stories I have not yet written.

I stay for the next worship session that moves my heart so much that tears of reverence and gratitude roll down my face.

I stay to whisper prayers for those I love.

I stay because His work in me is not yet complete.

I stay because I am confident that He who has begun a good work in me will perform it, until the day of Jesus Christ.

I stay because it is not I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.

Memento Mori

Remember death.

To every thing, there is a season

A time to be born,

A time to die

A time for every purpose under heaven.

Remember death.

What is your life?

It is but a vapour,

Which appears for a little while

And then vanishes.

Remember death.

You are like a breath,

Your days passing like a shadow

But for a moment,

A breath of eternity.

Remember death.

Your flesh is that of grass,

Which withers and fades

Like the glory of a flower,

Before it falls.

Remember death.

Your days are a mist,

Appearing for a moment

So remember to live…

Memento vivere.

Silent Prayers

Raising my hands,

I lift up my eyes

As the silent prayers

Stream down my face.

I hold out my arms

To the Holy One;

I ache to hear His voice,

I yearn for His embrace.

The prodigal child

Is now coming home;

I’m humiliated,

Tired, beaten, worn.

Again, and again,

I stray from Your care

But never, not once,

Have You turned away.

Oh Father, please,

Forgive me again,

As down on my knees

I surrender my heart.

Please, draw me nearer,

And may I always seek

For nothing, but Your face;

You, alone, are enough.

Julie Priebbenow began writing five years ago as a form of coping through poor mental health. In that time, she developed a passion for words, poetry, and creative writing. Writing has become a form of self-expression and art for Julie, and it’s a way that she can create a manifestation all of her emotions and feelings, no matter how heavy or intricate they feel. The world is filled with beauty and glorifies the Creator with every rock, tree, flower, and sunset, and as Julie creates her art, she hopes that it will glorify her Creator, with each pen stroke, each word, and each breath. You can find her on Instagram @confessionsofasimplemum (poetry), @missjulie_27 (personal), and @here.she.creates (art).