An Unknown Longing
Gloria Ligon
August 1, 2026

This poem explores the speaker’s desire to return to their Home, which symbolizes self-worth and acceptance. At first, this Home is inaccessible yet longed for. The speaker first searches for it externally and then realizes it “lacks a true address” and is internal.
The search for self-worth is mainly controlled by the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which serves to process an individual’s own self-identity. The mPFC also works with the Default Mode Network (DMN) to handle self-reflection, the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) to navigate social rejection, and Ventral Striatum to control reward processing when one is socially accepted.
Pairing Written By: Marianne Tzeng
It shouts in silence.
A comfort not yet felt,
A warmth not yet welcomed;
It offers you serenity.
On nights long forgotten
And in tears that drought,
It teases you.
It is forever undiscovered
And beckons to be searched for.
This essence of life.
Its walls are filled with laughter
And floors made of sunlight.
Its door—jammed open—whispers your presence
Your sorrowful Home,
Only present in imagination,
Lacks a true address.
You must go to it, embrace yourself.
See that Home lies within.
See that you are never without it.
