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"Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" Philippians 3:7-8a

my face tattooed

in the palms of your hands

is worth far more than

all the letters i could

put after my name.

you whispering 'my beloved'

in my ear as i fall asleep

and when i wake up

means more than any

'amen!' tossed my way.

your grace which grits

my eyes and sands my

rough edges until they

are as smooth as your cheeks

when you hold me close,

is more special than any

paycheck i ever received.

(c) 2023 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman