breakfast

"Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,

    for in you I put my trust."  Psalm 143:8

we stumble down to the table,

ready for another bowl

of pity's porridge, a cup 

of tepid tedium, a cold piece

of toast with curdled bitter

slapped all over it to start

our day the usual way,

but

then you put down a plate

piled with crisp compassion,

a hope and justice omelet,

a steaming cup of love

with a heaping spoonful of grace,

and we know we can handle

whatever awaits us 

as we head out the door.

(c) 2023 Thom M. Shuman