CAN I GET AN AMEN? PART II

By Miles Patrick Yohnke

Through, thru, threw,

To, too, two,

Do, due, dew,

Weight - wait!

I thought I was through,

I didn't know what to do,

The weight threw me,

I thought I was due,

I too thought I was through,

No more can I do.

From the morning dew,

Thru a cosmic opening -

I heard a divine voice,

The wait was through,

I knew what to do,

I knew what to do.

Can I get an Amen?

Amen - Amen!

The weight was through!

And now, united - two hearts beat through,

And through and through and through,

And do and do and do,

I do!

I love you!

FOOTNOTE TO 'CAN I GET AN AMEN? PART II - I LOVE YOU'

The origins of this simple poem first started over forty years ago, in the fall of 1984, by purchasing the album 'No Borders Here' by iconic Canadian musician Jane Siberry. My girlfriend at the time thought it was weird music. She didn't like it. And perhaps that was the start of the end in our three-year relationship.

In 1986, now managing a high-end stereo store, I listened to the closing song 'Map of the World - Part I' again, and it resonated. The words: Wait. Weight. One word. Two ways of writing it. Two meanings. I knew then I wanted to make some form of art from that basic concept. It's always been in the back of my interior mind.

I have 'Double Deficit Dyslexia' - the worst case of dyslexia and I struggle to this day on how to use those opening words in the poem. And because I have and do there was part of me kept in isolation. You feel so stupid. So alone. You feel there is no one like you. You feel so empty by it all. You don't want anyone to know. You don't want to allow someone in, to know your darkest secrets.

I wanted this poem to bring attention to that very struggle. My hope that the reader could see a certain portion of themselves within it.

I dance with the idea of two. Of connecting with our Creator. That if you do - you'll never feel alone. And two - a partner. I've written the poem in the way that two separate people are saying the very same words.

That these two people have the very same thoughts and feelings. But they finally find themselves, first through our Creator, and then our Creator brings them together. And in the third, fourth and fifth paragraphs the last lines are repeated. The reason for this - is one person says it - then the other repeats it. That they both found themselves through our Creator. That the union has been created. That two hearts now beat as one.

'No Borders Here,' is an appropriate title, for with our Creator, with someone that completely understands you - there are no borders here. And 'Map of the World,' also is appropriate, as with that steadfast partner, with our Creator - you find your place and path in the world.

To listen:

Jane Siberry - Map of the World - Part I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMr92KRP2VA

To read the lyrics:

Jane Siberry - Map of the World - Part I

https://genius.com/Jane-siberry-map-of-the-world-part-1-lyrics

To read 'Can I Get an Amen?' please click here:

https://salmonstudio.wixsite.com/yohnke/post/can-i-get-an-amen