a poetic reinterpretation
Something within me comes
to a place of stillness and rest
when I remember to thank you, God,
when I center my attention
on your Love.
In the morning, your Love is in the birdsong
At night, I remember your faithfulness
in the steady thrum of crickets.
I can let go in these moments of being —
simply feel joy because you are here.
For a breath or two I believe I can
tumble forever in the joy of you.
But I don’t. I forget again.
My spirit grows tired and threadbare
self-recrimination grows up in me
like thistle and weeds.
My eyes are drawn to all that seems broken
hopelessness seems to flourish
and struggle feels pointless.
Even so you draw my gaze back to you
hopelessness dissolves
fear flies from me.
You gently smooth my hands from
balled fists to open palms
So that I can receive the gifts you offer
freedom from fear
release from dread
comfort, lightness, and love.
Your vision for us is one of flourishing life
in well-watered soil.
Your desire for us draws us up and out
branches and leaves and fruit
and sap and nests filled with
birds that sing of your Love at
dawn’s first light.
As we grow old, you do not leave us
even when we feel most alone
when our hearing silences the birds
and our sight is ripped away.
Still the birds sing, the crickets thrum,
and a lifetime of learning to trust you
finds its moments of peace in
the silence and darkness of roots.
-Jennifer W. Davidson
