NVN Wednesday: EMPTY HORIZONS

by James Schwartz

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." —Ephesians 2:8-9

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Prayers heard 
Or unheard,

Spiritual delusion 
Per authorities, 

Summer's end
She could not, 

Walk on water
As the voices, 

Had commanded 
She had failed,

He had failed 
A test of faith,

As the voices 
Grew louder,

After the lake 
Recieved them,

Highly emotional 
Surfacing diver,

As the voices 
Grew louder. 

Submerged prayers for
A salvation.

Cast into
Empty horizons.

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Authors Note: The Amish communities can have a lack of access to professional mental health care and resources. Two mental health crisis resources are 988 and www.nami.org. My condolences to all affected by this tragedy.

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James Schwartz is a poet and author of various poetry collections including The Literary Party: Growing Up Gay and Amish in America (Kindle, 2011) and most recently Big Island Beatnik (Alien Buddha Press, 2025). @queeraspoetry.