the silence
flourish

with nothing
between us

but
with

all is
birthing

Audio:

It is the last day of April when
across the street at the entrance to
the county jail shadowed by
the court house
pear trees in a chill wind
blossom and sway me
to reverence the way they
reveal what is

just

right

Audio:

I
bend

I cannot
not bend

before what
or whom

I bend
though

is either
worship

or
suicide

Audio:

go
can I

home
I mean

wind
whispers

no
if flat

if round
yes

then whirls
to whistle

follow
me

Audio:

without you
my world is flat

with you
I remember

the way
is not straight

with you
I real

I
round

Audio:

out
into
in

walk
to
dance

rock
to
water

water
to
wine

self
into
bread

Audio:

not present
to my own

I long for one
who will be there

with rest
from my interrogator

who stares me down
to ask

So you are
worth…

Audio:

often I forget it
cannot find it
try the wrong one

our meeting
fails
never happens

how I cherish
when I do not
need one

when I can be
with you
without a

password

stitch by stitch
this love of hand
of heart
comes
to touch you
with the longing
of many
to one with you
to hold you dear
to light on your shoulders
free you from fears
so
feel the warmth
the Christ coming

Let it be so!
Let it be so!

(Written to accompany a Prayer Shawl)

Audio: