Poem: About the Journey

By Lynette Rodriguez

Some journeys are smooth

While others can be so rough

And sitting all alone at the side of a bed

With tears in my eyes

Was beyond rough

Imagine I was new to the space

Then each night I heard doors opening and closing.

Then I would ask “did I lock my door?”

I know I locked it but another check certainly didn’t hurt

Then I would whisper a silent prayer, after all I know God never fails.

Yes! there was I alone in a Brooklyn apartment

Afraid to sleep but it came all the same.

The journey had started

Into what I didn’t know

A journey that would lead to finding strength in myself

And leaning heavily on the everlasting arms.

And along the way I would say “but what is dis?”

Since there was rise and fall just as the tide ebbs and flows.

I left home eager to begin a new chapter in my life

Not knowing the many pages waiting to be filled

With many twists and turns like any good book.

I had to learn to find my way without a guide

And the quicker I learnt the better it would be; welcome advice.

No more strolling along the streets but hustle, hustle, hustle

With my main purpose in mind.

In seeking and finding my purpose oftentimes I did get lost

But never so lost that I couldn’t find my way back.

Through constant affirmation, dusting myself off and picking myself up.

So soon enough I learnt survival strategies

I became more alert and aware of my surroundings.

Most importantly I learnt what it means to survive in a strange land.

By doing things you might never do in your own

Like babysitting and navigating more than one job

Always learning along the way

And putting into practice sensible economic strategies.

Sometimes as I plodded on alone, loneliness would visit

Bringing along his ally, sadness

Then the silence would become my friend

Which gave me space to really look within

To find the divine strength and forgotten God given grace which dwells in our very being.

After many such moments I found Our Lady of Victory RC church

She became my refuge. I found solace.

I found friendship. I found fellowship.

I rediscovered my joy.

Dare I say I found a church home.

More than that

I planted seeds there

Reaping a bountiful harvest

Of my inner strength to make my journey worthwhile.