a word

Poetry

When I was a child, I copied
the way you moved
and I would ask,
What should I call you?

I tried to find
a word I hadn’t
learned yet,

a word beyond
what a child could understand.
It was something unfamiliar,

Now, as an adult, I still
find myself asking,
What should I call you?

There are no gestures now.
I don’t understand
That’s what it means to grow older.

This is a shadow,
and this, too,
is part of life.

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Published by Jeremiah Ray

Jeremiah Ray is an interdisciplinary artist and writer. His visual artwork reflects an ongoing journey of exploration. Having traveled extensively during his formative years, he aims to teach others how to discover their unique voices in art, believing that it transcends verbal communication. In 2016, after being diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer, his perspective on art shifted significantly. This experience heightened his awareness of the challenges associated with vulnerability and communication. Guided by these themes, Jeremiah has embarked on a personal journey of healing and self-discovery.

Published