An Embrace for The Lonely

By Noah T. Walsh (‘23)

Loneliness is the neighborhood cat
Everywhere and nowhere

Unafraid and unapologetic
Does not discriminate
Age, identity, or stature

Scratching at feet
Scampering through cracks
Strutting proudly in a street

“Just spend more time with people”
“Go out and you’ll figure it out”
But how can the absence be the solution?
A letter without a sender?
An embrace without an attender?

To be held

With limitless compassion
With deep gentleness

Invite the cat inside with love, with spirit
Place some water and a cushion near it
Breathe.

No body
No boundaries

To be held

Soft and warm lightning passes through
This boundless embrace has always existed
To be held
Be held
Held