October 9th

“You show me the path of life.
    In your presence there is fullness of joy;
    in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

the map is not a screen
with squiggly lines,
but that gentle breath
taken between heartbeats
on that journey through
celebration and loss alike.
joy is not so much
a comet racing across the night,
but that lantern we carry
as we walk with friends
on crisp autumn evenings.
each step we take
can be a prayer,
each breath
a carol of grace,
each hand
a reminder that love
walks with us
never letting go.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman