By Jill Berentsen-Bottum

I settle 
in Meeting.
Suddenly, warmth 
fills me. 
Who or what
Is with me?
In me?
Comfort 
Joy
fill my inner
being.
An outer smile 
flows from 
the inner 
unexplainable feelings.
Tears fall 
down my face.
I know not why.
The smile stays.
Whatever is with me
is still there. 
The tears still flow
silently, reverently.
I bask in the feeling.
A Friend begins to speak.
I feel the glow begin 
to slip away.
No! I try to hold it.
Ask it, them to stay.
There is a pause,
A moment, I think
whoever, whatever
will stay…
But the speaker 
talks on and
the moment
is gone,
but the memory
the tenderness
the glow
is forever
mine.

Accompanying Painting by Jill Berentsen-Bottum