Grace and Ink

Photo by Deepavali Gaind on Unsplash Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published Today I feel it creeping, An enemy pressing in. I perceive the crushing coming. The weapon is forming– It is pointing! It is pointing… at me!– The walls are falling, A fierce wind whips, Howling indignantly, And the fear rises in me.

Photo by Evgeni Tcherkasski on Unsplash Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published The road hums On a familiar drive, Home from church. It only took ‘til the end of the parking lot, The click, click, click Of my signal light My mind tick, tick, ticks With all there is left to do tonight.

Where I have been is deep, rolling hills and fall leaves changing in mountainous trees. Drunk with hues of orange and the smell of geosmin. Gathered bouquets Leaking red into clear water, as the room erupts in raucous laughter of friends who know the deepest, darkest parts of me. And love me, anyway. Where I have been is a sacred circle and I feel my heart lean in, but in the span of a hitched breath I realize I have been waiting for familiar faces, floral skirts and bare feet. No pretenses.

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published Standing room only, Chairs filled with Sniffles and jarring coughs. Wringing hands, I’m dying to leave. But I hear Won’t you stay? Antiseptic and bodily fluids, My stomach turns over. Final moments searing Through a feverish mind Like flashing lights Blue and red, I hear the echo of regret ask Won’t you stay?

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published Childhood felt like an endless summer. There was no “time to kill,” only hours to live. To run til our hearts and lungs were bursting. There were few pictures to take, nowhere to post them. Moments lived in minds, instead of in our hands or in the Cloud, we laid our backs on the grass and drew shapes in the clouds.

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published I sit in a sorrowed reality Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published That I wish was fantasy.

When Love Braids A Whip Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published “But He flipped tables!” Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published They say, to prove their point.

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published The rain pours down Gray sky, full Spilling over, Unrelenting. Pulling smiles down, Creasing brows, Furrowing attitudes. As the waters rise Outside, The tempers rise Within. We jump up, From a dining room table, Worn and marked, With ink and conversation, Yogurt stains and revelations, Piled with books On math, history, And even poetry. Alexa, play [dance music Appropriate for kids] And we sway, Spin and whirl.

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published Be wary, Discerning Christian, Of having itching ears Which seek the sound Of Roaring condemnation, And cold criticism. Over confession, Community, And compassion. Be wary, Discerning Christian, Of the one Who can only spout Fault, Blame, and Critique, Yet never sings of the merit And Faithfulness Of the Body of Christ.

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published I was born yesterday Into a coastal, Georgia town. New trees, new leaves Novel places to see, New people to meet, Curiosity and Grace Abounds. Tall oaks stand proud, Spanish moss hangs down, Swaying in a new breeze, Caressing my cheek, Wiping away the silent tears, Of loss and grief. Peaceful blue waters, Lap up onto rocky shores, Like waves of change. The sun warms my face, I close my eyes.