All that I wanted
was all that I had
no kingdom, no treasure
just stillness unclad

A breath in the morning
a glance full of light
a few words of mercy
in the silence before night

I held it like incense
a flicker, a flame
a moment that shimmered
without needing a name

It slipped through my fingers
as all moments must
but left in its absence
a bold, brilliant trust

For it was enough
and it asked for no more
a brief, holy dwelling
on time’s quiet shore

Note: This poem was inspired by a new song from my favorite musical artist, Jason Isbell, called “Good While It Lasted.”

The first two lines of the poem – “All that I wanted/was all that I had” – is a lyric in the chorus of the song.

Check out the song below – it’s a great one!