Tag Archives: Poetry

Genesis 39

— The God Who Was With Him A strange tongue in his ears,a stranger’s house,a slave’s sandals on his feet. And one plain line of Scripturefalling like light through a high window:The Lord was with Joseph. * Not after the … Continue reading →

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Genesis 38

— The Woman Who Would Not Disappear A seal.A cord.A staff.Three ordinary thingsheld in a widow’s lap,waiting for the hourof their speaking. * Judah went downfrom his brothers.Er died.Onan refused her a future,and died. “Wait in your father’s houseuntil Shelah … Continue reading →

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Traveling to Normal

– in the Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee State Park We ran one hundred ten milesacross the globeto Spencer, Tennessee,two hours awayfrom the familiar world. Then, step by step,only 0.35 miles down,we enteredthe deep heart of hell. Forty-five minutes descending,with … Continue reading →

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Genesis 37

— The Dream in the Pit A robe of many colorscatching the Canaan light,seventeen years old,not yet knowingwhat a dream can cost. * A father’s love, unevenly poured,like wine served to one guestwhile the rest wait thirsty. The brothers saw.They … Continue reading →

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Genesis 36

— The Generations We Do Not See Red stew,red earth,a hunger traded in a single afternoon —and from that bowla nation: Edom. * The land could not holdtwo brothers’ flocks.So one turned toward Seir. Not every parting is a wound.Some … Continue reading →

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Psalm 23

— Where Do You Make Your Flock Lie Down at Noon? A Psalm of David. Six verses,small as a shepherd’s pouch,and inside itthe whole night sky. — The Holy One is my shepherd.I shall not want. The Holy One is … Continue reading →

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Revelation 22

— The Leaves of the Tree Three mint leavestorn by my wife’s quiet hand,hot water, green steam —and something in my chestlets go. * John, exiled on Patmos,saw it at the very end:a river bright as crystal,a tree on either … Continue reading →

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Genesis 35

— Returning to Bethel God said to Jacob, “Arise. Go up to Bethel. Live there. Build an altarto the Godwho appeared to youwhen you were fleeingfrom your brother Esau.” Bethel. The place of the stone. The place of the dream. … Continue reading →

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Genesis 34

— When Wounds Become Weapons Dinah went outto see the daughtersof the land.A young woman,curious about the worldbeyond her tents,looking for friendship,for the ordinary lifeof a girl among others. But the worldshe enteredwas not gentle. Shechem,the son of Hamor,saw her.He … Continue reading →

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Genesis 33

— When I Saw Your Face Morning came over the Jabbok.Jacob lifted his eyes, and there was Esau, with four hundred men raising dust behind him. The night of wrestling was over, but another night still lived in him.Fear remembers … Continue reading →

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