January 20th

“When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” Genesis 9:16

how like God, once again
turning expectations on their head—
that bow is hung in the sky
not as a threat or weapon
but a multi-hued reminder
to us to keep remembering.
to take a breath in the rain
and pay attention to what still is,
colors drenching fear ‘til it is gone,
clouds taking a step back
as promise stretches grace
across the sky before our eyes.
this is not a contract carved
in stone or codified in books,
but light,
so fragile it might disappear,
so faithful it always returns
and so, whenever it seems
this weary world is about to drown
in its own anger, noise, power
God stands next to us, looking up
and, touching the sky with hope,
reminds us in the silence
that we are not forgotten.
for the miracle is not
that the flood waters receded,
but that grace always remembers
where we are.

© 2026 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman