September 23rd

“’Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one.’”
Matthew 5:37

they are like the spam
which shows up in email
or those annoying robocalls
which interrupt our lives—
these words which we
so casually use as if they
were promises that scatter
like leaves in autumn’s wind.
but you remind us to speak
simply and plainly, because
truth really doesn’t need
a lot of glitter sprinkled on it,
just a gift from the heart.
so,
may ‘yes’
be a door open wide
to those who need shelter,
may ‘no’
be a boundary which
respects privacy and
each person’s dignity
and may both
be woven together
in the shawl of grace.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman