Your presence lingers.

 

Your presence lingers.
Though you rode away to fight the war -
your stallion rearing up in anticipation -
your heart stayed here at home.

Your presence lingers,
Though the persistence of human conflict
has torn you away from loved ones.
Images of you are burnt in my mind.

Your rough hands with tender touch.
Your eyes glinting with mischief.
Your wild, tousled hair reflecting the sun.
The way you threw your head back in laughter.

Your presence lingers.
Your name is spoken every day.
No message has arrived.
Gossip has you at the front.

Another day has come and gone.
The battle scenes are noised about
by those who left and returned.
It's been so long since you left...

Your presence lingers,
Your clothes are losing your scent.
We don't know what to expect.
Some say the foreign King's forces triumph.

The word came this morn,
that our army has been defeated.
That you've been lost in battle,
and will never come home, never.

Still...
Your presence lingers.

©Ellen Pepper 2026

STEPPING AWAY

 

Where can you go,
where the news is not?
How to find peace while bombs fall?
Where is relief from the horrors?
It's not easy to step away from the news.

You find your dreams haunted by sorrow.
You run to the forest of happier thoughts.
Yet, the images persist and grow.
Your soul cries out. Your eyes spill tears.
It's not easy to step away from your mind.

How can you calm your soul?
You try to end despair with levity,
but that's too hollow.
You try to escape into nostalgia,
 but it's not easy to evade the now.

Where can you go,
where the news is not?
What can erase despair?
When will relief arise at the end of the day?
it's not easy to step away.

©Ellen Pepper 2026

The Time for Forgiveness...

When the shouting ends.
The tears stop falling.
The rage internalizes.
They've said it all.
The time for forgiveness has come.

He said,
She said,
Neither one agreed.
He despised her excuses.
She condemned his cruelty.
The time for forgiveness has come.

They did the dance of anger,
betrayal,
and lies.
They exhausted excuses.
The time for forgiveness has come.

In future years, they'll wonder,
"Was it all in vain?"
Thinking back and fumbling facts,
nostalgia softens pain.
The time for forgiveness has come.

They meet for coffee,
just to talk.
So many years gone by.
Time to atone for failures,
The time for forgiveness has come.

Later, after absolution,
they walk away in silence -
regretting time lost to ego and pride.
They vow to love again.
The time for forgiveness has come.



 ©Ellen Pepper 2026

Nobody knows your name...

 Nobody knows your name.
Still, you're trying so hard.
So damn hard, to be seen.
You wander the streets
 with your heart on your sleeve,
Hoping somebody calls your name.

Lord, nobody knows your name.
Nobody knows your name.

And nobody knows your heart,
do they?
Nobody knows your song.
Nobody sees you walking,
Nobody sees you dance.

Lord, nobody knows your name.
Nobody knows your name.

My earnest friend,
you work so hard.
You lay down the tracks,
every day in your studio.
But nobody knows your name.

Lord, nobody knows your name.
Nobody knows your name.

One day soon,
after all these years,
your dream will come true,
your name will find fame.

And everyone will know your name.
You find your talent will bring you fame.
Your words will be known, 
Your songs will be sung.

And everyone will know you,
Some will love you,
Some will shun you,
But everyone will know your name.


 ©Ellen Pepper 2026

Lullabye for the Little One

 

Come to me, my little one,
I'll hold you while you sleep. 
Come to me, little one,
We have dreams to keep.

We've spent the day together,
Stayed in -  away from weather.
We played with song and toys.
We laughed with all the joys.

And now, you'll want to rest a while.
Close your eyes with contented smile.

Mama tucks your blanket in,
and Papa kisses you on your chin.
We love you so, little one.
Be cozy, as your sleep is won.

And now, your eyes are drooping down;
your tiny hands are folded.
You snuggle deeper under cover;
there's no need for us to hover.

Sleep tight, little one.
Tomorrow will come soon.

©Ellen Pepper 2026