by Jackie Chou

I am not alone 
for You are here with me 

I remember the crowd 
around the picnic cloth

Now it’s just me 
at the edge of this bed
with no one 
to break a muffin with

But I am not alone 
for You are here with me

You have touched me 
and now Your fingerprints
are all over my heart 

I am not alone
for everywhere I go 
You go with me

You are by my side
on the streets 
and in the buses

Lord Jesus Christ 
You remain steadfast
in this fickle world 

I will always save
an empty seat for You

---

Jackie Chou is a writer from Southern California who has two collections of poetry, The Sorceress and Finding My Heart in Love and Loss, published by cyberwit. Her poem “Formosa” was a finalist in the Stephen A DiBiase Poetry Prize. She has recent work in The Ekphrastic Review and Synchronised Chaos.