may i

"Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD," 2 Kings 21:1-2a

rather than the anger

i could speak to others,

may i whisper kindness.

instead of the hurt

i might inflict on another,

may i bathe them in

the healing balm of hope.

before i would judge someone

simply because they are not me,

may i listen to their story and

even more carefully to their soul.

in place of resentment which

could fester into bitterness

and fill my cup with evil,

may i dip my hands in the fountain

of living waters and drink deeply.

(c) 2023 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman