June 2nd

“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” Luke 9:62

you see it with wide open eyes,
that grace roughened road
pockmarked with mercy,
paved with cruelty.
knowing there is no time
for rearview memories,
no room for maybe prayers,
you place your plow
in that field of flint,
as it bites and jerks,
spitting soil and breaking soul.
don't look back, you whisper,
knowing that now,
hearts must lean forward,
blisters on our hands
become sacraments,
the Beloved Community
is not a pie-in-the-sky fantasy,
but carved in each hope
by hands which refuse
to let go
of you.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman