to an unknown psalmist

"The LORD is king! Let the earth rejoice;

    let the many coastlands be glad!
Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
   righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him,
   and consumes his adversaries on every side.
His lightnings light up the world;
   the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
   before the Lord of all the earth. Psalm 97:1-5

in the mist drifting over

lakes and prairie meadows,

i sense the One in control.

the passion of young people

for all creation, and the justice

old folks have been seeking 

all their lives are woven together

for the hammock in grace's backyard.

late at night, the stars twinkle 

the compassion so steady that

cruelty will eventually fade away.

fireflies float on a summer evening

illuminating the imagination 

of little children who giggle and wiggle

as they try to catch them.

the pedestals we build for our

clay-footed celebrity idols melt

under the withering gaze 

of the Love which only has eyes

for the forgotten.

(c) 2023 Thom M. Shuman