Third Wednesday of Advent

Praise the LORD!
How good it is to sing praises to our God;
    for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
    he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted,
    and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars;
    he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
    his understanding is beyond measure.
The LORD lifts up the downtrodden;
    he casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
    make melody to our God on the lyre.
He covers the heavens with clouds,
    prepares rain for the earth,
    makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the animals their food,
    and to the young ravens when they cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
   nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
    in those who hope in his steadfast love. (Psalm 147:1-11)

       umpteen dumpties

there is not enough
                     glue
    in the world
       to put together
             those dreams
          laying shattered
          on the bottom
                       of my heart;

all the advice
    all the techniques
       all the steps
    from all the counselors
                        cannot
             retie those broken
                     bonds
          between those i
                care most about;

no doctor,
          no pill,
     no medication
              can keep that scab
       from being
                  ripped off the festering
           wounds
                      i have inflicted
    upon others;

but with that balm
    poured out at Bethlehem,
with that patience
       which does not weary
       from tough tasks,
with that grace which
             binds your heart
                          to ours

you can

so come.

© 2012 Thom M. Shuman