Soul Food Advent Blog Series 2018: 'Room at the Table'
'The Invitation' - a poem by Kelsey Johnston
The Invitation
There is a place for you here
says the empty chair.
Rounded back and woven rush seat
calling out to my weary limbs and dusty soles.
I dare not look to my left or right
as I slide in to join the other guests
embarrassed by my worn out clothes and empty hands.
Come eat, come drink
says the table.
Bright polished wood and dancing candlelight
framing the feast I had smelled from afar
beeswax, wine, hot bread, roasted meat and spices
great dishes piled with colour
tugging at my hunger pains.
This isn’t for you
says my doubting mind
hardened by disappointment and the burden of living without.
I wait head bowed, for the heavy hand on my shoulder
the whispered rebuke
the shuffled retreat.
And He says;
‘Welcome.
We have been waiting for you.’
I look up into the face of my host
Suddenly light.
Completely seen.
Newly hopeful.
Invited.
A Kiwi by birth and Scot by choice, Kelsey is a fledgling poet based in Edinburgh. She works in textiles and loves art, exploring the great outdoors and consuming good cake and coffee.
Beautiful!