Straw into gold

As counting goes, this is almost seven whole days of brain clarity, even with a head cold.  Seven whole days, not one in seven, I will praise thee.  Deep abiding thanks for George Herbert and his poetry.   And for the hymn his poetry inspired (King of Glory, King of Peace).

My first years of ordained life were in campus ministry.  I learned what it is to create things like altar frontals from Pier One placemats.  I still do such things even though now it's not about altar frontals.  Now it is making cardboard stuffed material signs for my office door window under the altar.  Creativity comes in many forms.  Mine is not to spin straw into gold.

Thirty years out

I watch friends spin off

Into other sections

Of the known

And unknown

Universe.

I envy their spin.

I remain here and watch.

Mine is not to spin,

Not even straw into gold.

I make altar frontals

From Pier One placemats.

I always have.

I watch the person who weeps

In the back of the church,

See the person who leaves

Before the closing prayer.

My friends spin off.

I watch them go with love

And Godspeed.

And yes

Even some envy.

Some may spin straw

Into gold.

I will stay,

Stitch together Pier One placemats

Into paraments.