Vespers

to look back
while still feeling
the pain like acid
on an open wound

and stand
facing the blast
knowledge emerging
that what was
need not
be again.

this is faith.

the “substance of things hoped for”
evidence of the invisible
a discerned force
in constant motion.

it leaves its signature everywhere
and yet we are
as blind men
standing on the precipice
of our lives
pleading for things
we already have.

the high and low
of this exchange
with ourselves
with our Maker
is by definition
perplexity.

will we dare to speak
the words we fear
imagining the onslaught
and knowing
there will be peace inside
each and every blow?

in these last 365 days
He has delivered the impossible
my very breath when stolen
the slowing of my erratic heart
restoration of my nearly dead soul

renewal so complete
that I exploded
back into my own life.

and now high on this cliff
the infancy of decision
looking to nowhere
and everywhere
at the same time

I believe His reach
is not too short
to find me
even if I fall.