2:00 PM

FOR THE HEAT OF THE DAY

By this point in the journey

I’ve lost my youthful enthusiasm

And the certainty that the same promise

The day started with, will carry to it’s ending

At this point the sun is oppressive

With heat that beats and wears me down

And the next setback threatens

To push me over the line

to throw the towel in

Oh God, I’m not sure I have the fight

Left in me for another round

Another blow, another disappointment

At this point in the day

I need more

Than a misquoted Psalm

Or self-help Surah

I need a hope that has teeth

That can sink deep hold

Into the decay of this world

And not let loose, no matter what

Give me a faith that can rage

Against death

Against war

Against the cancer inside these frail frames

At this point in the day

I need a hope that

Sows itself into the earth

In droplets of blood

I need a hope that’s been torn open

To where the sinew and flesh reveals

The beating heart beneath

I need a wounded love

With gaps big enough

For me to sink my hands inside of

And grab onto something real

As I falter in the heat of the day

I need to be helped back up

By hands that are scarred

From loving too hard

I need the hope of a broken body

And a bleeding heart

So that the brokennesses inside of me

Also has worth, has merit, has a point