January 14th

 “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it." Genesis 4:7

like kids coming to our doors
on Halloween
you show up—
the speaker garbed in
sparkling robes of charisma.
that new friend who, out of
the goodness of their hearts,
invites us to get in on a great deal.
a co-worker whose flirting
behavior slowly draws us
into a web of betrayal.
some clown wearing silly hair
and enough make-up
to cover the cruelty which
is at the heart of their act.
but when the robe is off,
and the dream of riches turns to dust,
when our hearts are shattered
and the make-up removed,
we recognize you—
that master of disguises
who has fooled more people
than will ever admit it.

© 2026 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman