November 1st/All Saints Day

“Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” Revelation 7:13

‘I ain’t no saint,’ he protested
as he began to unload
the boxes and bushels
of fresh vegetables
so the volunteers at the foodbank
could cart them into the warehouse—
‘I’m just a simple farmer
grows extra for those folks
who need it most.’

‘oh, one of the parents
called me that the other day,’
said the bus driver
as she pressed the button
to start the lift bringing
the little child in the wheelchair
up to the level of the seats,
‘but I just love caring
for all those the world tends
to turn its back on.’

‘don’t put that label on us,’
laughed the volunteers
passing our tents, blankets,
coats and hats and gloves
to the rough sleepers as
the chill of Fall seeped in,
‘we’re just folks who
have been graced so
we might grace others.’

It’s funny, God,
how many folks think
they ain’t saints.

(c) 2026 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman