words

we remain close-mouthed
while the outsiders are mocked,
yet expect you to
speak up for us whenever
we need a kind word offered.

© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

vineyard

as long as you come

like that gently climbing vine,

we have no problem being branches,

but when you come like kudzu,

your passion for justice and hope

threatening to eat away our apathy,

well, hell . . .

 

© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

 

birding

like a birdwatcher
still and silent through the hours,
we wait in prayer
for you to swoop into view,
hope floating on Spirit’s breath.
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

bumbershoot

like an umbrella,
in the drizzle of our lives,
your grace shelters us.

© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

 

attention, please

we spend so much time
watching events turning, we
miss you showing up.
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

grumbled

grumbled by the news,
i could curl up with outrage,
or join you outside,
following Grace where she leads,
splashing in wonder’s puddles.

© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

tanka 3

Spring slowly creeps in
with drips of liquid wonder,
while grace bursts open
our frozen lives, warming us
with bright rays of hope and peace.

(c) 2018 Thom M. Shuman

monday

folding the paper,
you pick up your guitar, and
start to play the blues.




(c) 2018 Thom M. Shuman

tanka 2

though older than dirt,
creation might continue
to dazzle us with
imaginative joy, if
we kept privilege at bay.

© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

 

tanka 1

early each morning,
we awaken to find you,
eyes like slits, staring
deep into our soul, purring
like a kitten on our chest.
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

walkabout

for that silence
speaking louder than any
thoughts and prayers,
we give thanks.
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

street people

if we viewed folks as
gyrovagues, not panhandlers,
would our attitude change?

© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

(gyrovagues – wandering monks who

relied on charity/hospitality of others)

twilight

may your hope be the
garlic we use to ward off
all the faith vampires.
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

goalie

as hate’s puck streaks
toward our souls,
reach out with your
grace-padded hands
to keep it from scoring.
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

cafeteria

sarabitically,
we push our trays
down the line, filling
   our lives with
   all the thoughts,
   people, words
which satisfy our fancies,
rather than sticking to the
basic faith groups of
grace, hope, love, peace,
   and wonder.
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

ouch

like a boomerang,
a mean spirit comes back to
smack us in the faith.

© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

missing

of all the
      things
   in this cocktail
   we are (or
      (could be),
hope
may be the
missing ingredient.
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

crisis

Lord, have

mercy when

aggro
   is the addiction
   we cannot control, but
hope
   is the resolution
   we break so easily.
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

helpers

when our hearts
are shattered,
you pull up
in your truck
clearly marked
‘recovery and restoration
     of all kinds
(faith our specialty)’
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

 

hot bath

stepping into that
steamy tub
filled with your presence,
   may I soak in
   your grace
until i am completely
   relaxed.
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

just

unless living
      justly
is the result, just
   praying
is a heart full
of hollow words.

© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

evening

having shuttered all the
      windows, and
locked all the doors,
we sit silently
in the shadows of our fears,
      forgetting
you are a graduate of
Spirit’s school of
lockpicking.
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

Spirit Holmes

early
in the morning,
you shake us awake,
      whispering,
‘quick, justice is afoot!
don’t say a word, just
follow
and do what it does.’
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

 

miraculous

when we
forgive others,
give so more will have,
love the despised,
then we
will have become
miracle workers.
 
© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

des(s)erts

after enjoying (several) desserts
at the end of a great dinner, we
drive home,
never noticing
the food deserts
along the way . . .

in your mercy, Lord

(c) 2018 Thom M. Shuman

hump day

as i open
my mouth (without
      saying any words),
pray in me, Jesus,
as you carry me into
God's heart

(c) 2018 Thom M. Shuman

blueprints

technicalities,
schmechnicalities –
let us embrace
the promise of resurrection,
grace pure and simple.

© 2018 Thom M. Shuman

bright monday

on the second day,
we put you back in the tomb,
rolling the stone shut.

© 2018 Thom M. Shuman