fifth friday in lent

“my soul waits for the Lord

    more than those who watch for the morning,
    more than those who watch for the morning.”  Psalm 130:6

we’re not those people,

Lord,

these waiters,

these watchers;

we’re impatient,

always-in-a-hurry

let’s-get-it-done

and move on folks

who don’t notice much

around us, so

in these times, when

we are forced (against

every instinct we have)

may we learn

to wait with increasing

hope that you are in

our midst, just like always

(though we never saw you),

and to watch, with clear eyes,

the sunrise and

to hear, with rested ears,

the birds sing and

to finally see you

in the neighbor who has

waved at us every morning,

though we never waved back

even once

© 2020 Thom M. Shuman