“that all of them may be one” John 17: part of verse 21 (NIV) I don’t recognize you anymore I’m out of place Out of joint With you When did the ground shift under my feet And create this angry defiant individualistic I’ll do what I want space that I don’t recognize (or fit) In? When did ‘what you want’ Become more important than What They Need? (consideration, kindness, space, a place) Did it happen so slowly So imperceptible (to my rose-coloured view) That I couldn’t discern it? Did I live in false hope that It Wasn’t Happening? Was it always there? I don’t recognize you Anymore Now I Wait In Silence And Grief And Lament And Hope That you will be restored (getting back to normal won’t do it folks) And I will be able to fully Embrace you Again
Advent 1.0
Groaning Waiting Hoping Trusting For You to make all things new For You to make all things new
Ancient Breasts
Ancient breasts
Hold
New milk
That
Issues forth
In
Empathy
And
Remembrance
Waiting
Them
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 (NIV) Do Good To All (in covid times this is not about rights) (in covid times this is not about fear) (in covid times this is not about government or corporate conspiracies) Just simply Do Good To All Just Simply What Would Be Good For them What would make them feel Safe Loved Supported Cared for Considered Them (not you) (not me)
Poor One
“We love because we first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 (NIV) The sooner we figure this out The better off we are We bring nothing Nothing To the equation We’re Poor Paltry Pathetic Devoid Of Actual Authentic Real True Perfect Love He has it He has it to give Open wide your mouth oh poor one He will fill it
Truth
“Then you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free” John 8:32 (NIV) You knew this (not at first but you got it eventually) You got it (while she waited) That Light is better than dark Truth is better than lies And then You forgot And that Blew everything Up RJS
Brother
You make me Braver Stronger Faster Than I am Alone I Borrow your bravery Summon your strength Follow your faster Oh brother Best brother Beautiful brother Bright brother Of mine (If only she could see me) Now (I think she can)
What a Thing to Say
“You are a disappointment to me.” I remember where I was when you said it Just at the gate to the path connecting Sunshine and Emerson Lake I remember where I was “You are a disappointment to me.” (What a thing to say to someone) I wasn’t one of your ‘wise women’ (The audacity) I didn’t fit the skin you were trying to put me in I didn’t belong in your club I’m glad Your loss Your club was too small For me
Letting Go
Letting go The leaving The tearing The burning Letting go The leaving The tearing The burning Fill that wounded place up Fill that wounded place up Fill that wounded place up Lord With something new
Rest
“Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.” Hebrews 4:1 (NIV) Hang up the Would haves Put away the Could haves Silence the Should haves His rest Is here
Colleen R. Jantzen 