pure, sweet love

"Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this:
   that power belongs to God,
and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord."  Psalm 62:11-12a

once, so long ago

i wonder if i remember correctly,

a voice told me you were

nothing

but pure, sweet love.

then,

other voices surrounded me

strident, overbearing, overwhelming

with accusations of your anger,

of how you couldn't wait

to punish me simply for my thoughts,

how you would dangle me

like a fish on a hook and line

over hellfire, all the while smiling,

so,

whisper once again 

reminding me (and all of us)

of that pure, sweet love

which belongs to you, yet

you willingly give to us.

that pure, sweet love

strong enough to become weak,

wise enough to relinquish grudges,

compassionate enough to forgive.

(c) 2023 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman