May 21st

 "Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget, 

   nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
   love her, and she will guard you." Proverbs 4:5-6

it is not that piece of paper 

with that special seal on it 

and fancy Latin words, now

nicely framed and mounted

prominently on a wall, but

that tattered, dog-eared children's

book we keep by our beds

to remind us of those moments

we leaned against that person

who lovingly (and ever so patiently)

traced their fingers under the words

so we might feel the magic,

the wonder, the pure delight

in beginning a journey 

which will never end as long

as we are wise enough to realize

that our true vocation is to trace

our fingers under grace, hope,

love, justice, and peace for all

the ones the world considers

to be the throw-aways of our time.

(c) 2024 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman