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i can’t imagine
we’ll ever find our way back again.
alas, such is departing.
one leaves and might as well
bid farewell to all the known. 
two people, maybe lovers,
or friends,
or family,
will alway seek a return. 
one will say, when arriving,
when at the place that they
thought they remembered,
the place they thought
they left,
‘yes, i’m here.’
and the other
will arrive elsewhere, somewhere,
and say,
‘yes, i’m here.’
that is it.
we arrive again to some place,
any place,
real or just a state of being,
and think it is what we left.
some feel the unease right away. 
they are aware that ‘here’ isn’t ‘here’
and discontent and longing sets-in
like a sickness.
others lead entire lives
only to wake one day and come to 
terms with it,
the knowledge that
the here that isn’t here.
i can’t decide which is worse;
the instant awareness 
or the slow creeping realization.

Published by Jeremiah Ray

Jeremiah Ray is an interdisciplinary artist living and working in the coastal Maine region. He holds a BFA from Maine College of Art and an MFA from the School of the Art Institue of Chicago. Jeremiah works in various literary modes; however, poetry grants him a level of freedom that he has not yet found in other styles. His earlier poetic attempts were, as he attests, "far too drenched in metaphor, people would get turned off immediately." However, various life circumstances have allowed him to shed many of the layers which cloaked his previous compositions. His visual artwork is much like his life insofar as it is a constant journey of exploration and discovery. In his formative year, Jeremiah traveled extensively before undertaking any formal postsecondary education. Prior to studying art, which has been a lifelong love of his, Jeremiah initially explored music composition and performance, English and German language, and literature as potential majors. After completing his MFA, Jeremiah intended to pursue teaching. He desired to assist others in their quest to find and hone their unique language. He has always believed that art transcends oral communication and can significantly aid those seeking to express themselves nonverbally. In 2016 Jeremiah was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer. This prompted his urgent relocation to Maine, which allowed him to be closer to his family during the months and eventually years of treatment that would follow. During the grueling months of treatment and the subsequent years managing the numerous physical and emotional side-effects from them, his work has continued to evolve, much as it has done his entire life. He has extensively documented his journey with cancer via his meticulously sustained blog (https://cyclical.life). Over the years, it has morphed into more philosophical musings on life rather than straightforward updates on his cancer journey.

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