More sense

Before the day is fully defended.

Does it make more sense

To write

While dreams still cling,

While first thing noticed

Is the squirrel hanging

From the bird feeder

As he drops seeds

To the cardinals

Below?

Does it make more sense

To write

While kitten and grandfather cat

Sleep together,

Until they wake up,

Become aware

Of what they symbolize:

Lion and lamb

Peaceful kingdom

Before they go their separate ways?

Does it make more sense

To write

Before the day

Is fully defended?

As long as it takes

A prayer, I think.  Yes, a prayer.  We still wait... as long as it takes.  Amen.

As long as it takes,

I will not count.

I promise

Not to count.

As long as it takes,

Even if forever is multiplied

By forever.

As long as it takes

Until lion and lamb

Sleep together.

As long as it takes,

Until Hell freezes over

And everyone is gifted

With ice skates,

The ability

To do figure 8s.

As long as it takes

For the Kingdom to come.

I will not count.

I promise not to count.

As long as it takes.

Amen.

Pondering my place in the Kingdom

Often perspective arrives as I write.  This is one of those days.

On days that I sit and wait,

Like this day,

I ponder my place

In the Kingdom.

At almost 59

I imagine my place

Under the altar,

All the good I can do

From the catacombs,

Though really there is space

Underneath me

As well.

The children play there

In cold weather.

Sometimes

Women dance

In the evenings.

Sometimes,

Kicked out of the upper hall,

The stamp people

Meet there too.

The Kingdom extends

Below and above.

Really I am in the middle

Of the Kingdom

Just as I have always been.

Think again

Thinking this morning of the people who have shown up in times of loss and times of joy.  The expected people, of course, but also the unexpected ones... like my high school friend*s mother who came to Dad*s funeral... for me... even though I hadn*t seen her in years.  I also think of the unexpected people who share my joys and show me the Kingdom spreads out way beyond any boundaries I have ever imagined.  When you think it doesn*t matter... think again.

When you think

It doesn*t matter:

Think again.

When you think

You won*t be missed:

Think again.

Your presence may be,

It may simply be,

That one thing that shows

One person

The whole world

Is aware

Of their loss,

Of their joy.

When you think

It doesn*t matter,

Consider your presence

Just might possibly be

A sign of the Kingdom

In attendance.

Think again.

Then

Think again.