October 22nd

“’Where, O death, is your victory?
     Where, O death, is your sting?’” 1 Corinthians 15:55

once
you pushed your way
through shadows of war,
you stuffed your pockets
with IOU bills we foolishly signed,
you sat outside rooms as
families were saying goodbyes
to those they loved.
but now?
now, the door is ripped off its hinges,
now, flowers bloom in rubble,
now, we hear our names whispered
by the one who sat in your bitter chill.
your sting?
now
it bounces off our souls.
your victory?
now
it slips back into the shadows
where you sit in loneliness,
for your once untouchable power
has been reduced to dust
by the laughter of Love.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman