I Believe

“I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.”                                                                   Psalm 27:13

In this imperfect world of
Violence, greed, hate
Deception, exploitation, 
Political upheaval,
Natural disasters, 
Illness
My vision
Can be blurred
Images are smeared
Hazy, clouded
Like seeing through
A window draped 
And dirtied
By smog.

But behind that curtain
Deep within
The hidden recesses
Of my soul,
My spirit
Endures
Sometimes a mere ember
A matchstick
Struggling for air

It is there
I believe
That I shall see
The good things 
Of the Lord
In the land 
Of the living.

A friendly voice
Answering a phone
A driver pausing
Motioning
For me to go
A smile
Given freely
On the sidewalk
A warm muffin
Laughter’s song
A card
From a grandchild

I believe that
I shall see
The good things
Of the Lord
In the land
Of the living.

I step upon 
Wood’s threshold
Gazing deep
Into the forest
Amongst the 
Pillared trees
The floor carpeted
With fallen leaves
The cool air
Wafts from the shadows
And swirls around me
I drink deeply
Of this goodness
Of the Lord
And the ember
Flares.

I meander 
Through an apple orchard
My flannel shirt
Embracing me
Warming my body
Cooled by 
Brisk autumn air
I reach out
And select
A firm, red fruit
Hanging in offering
The first crunch
Fills my mouth 
With delight
And hope
The ember flares brighter

I stand at field’s edge
A balloon of joy
Swells 
Within me
Trees adorned
With autumn reds,
Oranges, yellows
And enduring greens
Distant mountains
Create a backdrop
Of strength
An invitation
To journey
Further
Climb higher

I believe 
That I have seen
The good things
Of the Lord
In the land
Of the living.