March 8

Both, Please

It’s one thing to speak of love. It’s another
to hold a newborn in your arms,
to sing someone to sleep,
to lean down and listen for their breathing.

It’s one thing to speak of faith. It’s another
to press your forehead to the floor,
to cry out in prayer,
to ask the hard questions and still
thank God for the meal.

It’s one thing to speak of the Divine. It’s another
to walk under a tunnel of wisteria,
to stand barefoot at the edge of the sea,
to hear the birds sing as the sun returns
and whisper, Thank you, thank you, thank you.

It’s one thing and another, so I pray,
Give me both, please. Show me both, please.

Poem by
Rev. Sarah Speed