Invisible Friend, Katy Comber

I Will Call Her Mara

by Katy Comber

I will call her Mara. 

Mara clamors! and gambols! and spins! 

in my mind 

when desperation grows  

for solitude 

for grace

for restoration

my imaginary friend is L O U D

I will call her Mara.

Mara cautions my bravery

Mara calls me Burden

Mara nestles into my reluctance 

and Mara wraps herself 

in a quilt of my regrets

I will call her Mara 

As I cling to the hope 

of Naomi 

Ruth 1:19-21

So they both went until they came to Bethlehem. And when they had come to Bethlehem, all the city was stirred because of them, and the women said, "Is this Naomi?" 20She said to them, "Do not call me Naomi [delighted, lovely]; call me Mara [bitter], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21"I went out full, but the LORD has brought me back empty.”…