Refining Words

HIDING

Perfect body, hair

make-up. Magazine

photo in designer clothes.

Hiding bruises, scars

battered self-esteem,

abuse.

Wall of perfection

keeps people distant.

Always ready with a smile,

a joke, encourages friend

‘keep the faith.’

Never serious enough

silent enough to respond

ask concern for well-being.

Broken heart, aching tears

hidden behind postured postcard.

We walk on by, unwilling--

unable--to pierce appearances,

bridge façade and bear hope.

John 7

Refining Words

HERO

Stories, legends, myths,

songs abound convey

heroes’ courage,

bravery-sacrifice.

All an image

symbol of one only.

Whose hands bestow

True words to fulfill

Soul fed lives

Own story for eternity

John 6

Refining Words

FOOD

At what point did awe

recede?

First a miracle performed,

hunger appeased

with gratitude received.

Then the potential drove crowds

to seek Him over distance,

dangerous waters.

Greed for perishable

food.

Forgot manna’s history

one day’s needs at a time.

Heart hunger ongoing.

Worship alone sustains

hope.

John 6

Refining Words

SCANDAL

Scandalized

Shaken to the core

Sabbath Healing!

Swept away the mystery

Scrutinized miracle

Smothered awe

Sacrilege made public

Sterile priesthood.

John 5

Refining Words

QUESTION

Despair or hope?

which drew the blind,

lame, paralyzed to

Beth-zatha’s pool.

To seek release

from illness or from scorn

chance of healing or

community of peers

“Do you want to be

made well?”

question shook

invalid to his core

A choice. Long years

day by day came in

pain, situation hopeless

always another before him

Today a different

opportunity, new hope

listened

stood up—walked.

John 5

Refining Words

A HOPE

Day is long, laborers few.

Who will complete the work

begun in promise,

commit to present task

whether to plant or harvest

in anonymity

obedient to the call alone?

Each step unfolds, affirms hope.

John 4

Refining Words

WELL

From within comes the

worship flowing like a

spring of water restoring

dry lips, parched body.

When the well is clear.

Otherwise brackish liquid

ekes through brambles,

seeps through stones one

drop at a time keeping

a semblance of life while

building a dam.

When the well is clogged.

John 4