May 20th

 “who executes justice for the oppressed;

who gives food to the hungry.” Psalm 146:7

rolling up your sleeves,
you slip into the shadows
where hope flickers like
a match in the wind.
and there,
you hand out loaves of dignity
wrapped in napkins of grace,
those in the locked cells
of grudges or failing systems
hear you walking down the hall
the keys jingling in justice-worn hands.
the single mom counting out
nickels and dimes for food,
the back spasmed worker
looking for a second job,
even those forgotten by the forgotten,
none slip through the heart
because that is what you do,
day in, day out, always
listening to silenced voices,
lifting burdens from weary souls,
setting tables for your children,
hoping we might just take the hint,
meeting you at the pantry
not at the celebrity gala,
welcoming the stranger
not the privileged.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman