April 23rd

"'You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.' Matthew 5:14

you wander through the

bombed out communities

in Ukraine, carrying a tiny,

flickering candle of peace.

in a rubble-strewn hospital

somewhere in Gaza, you
hold steady a single light

to enable the surgeons to see.

in every shadow of worry,

under every rock which we use

to try to hide ourselves,

in the lengthy evening of dread

creeping across the lawns

of every soul in every place,

you try to create that 

Beloved Community of hope,

of grace, of inclusion, of justice,

praying we might bring 

our lights to merge with yours.

(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman