The classroom

After Psalm 25:1-10

Noisy and shoving,

we crowd

into the room;

the teacher stands,

frowning and mute.

Noise and shoving

continue. I catch

his eye as he catches

mine.

The question asked.

My nod responds.

I want to know,

I want to learn,

I want to hear

his instructions

to know the truth

of what is right.

Photograph by Church of the King via Unsplash. Used with permission.

The path

After Psalm 25:1-10

Looking for a way, a path,

through this thicket of lies

and deception, I stumble,

often, and find dirt

and pieces of leaves

in my mouth, 

a tannic taste. 

Looking for a stream to wash,

to cleanse myself, I hear

its sound, a bubbling,

a rushing and falling

upon rocks and stones.

I find a path to the water.

I drink, deeply.

I hear them after me,

chasing, but they miss

the path and pass on. 

Here, by the stream,

is an upright stone,

chiseled. I touch 

the letters and words,

my fingers finding

the crevices of meaning,

of memory.

Photograph by Joan Oger via Unsplash. Used with permission.