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.

Spirit, water, blood

After I John 5:6-21

The text says he came

by water and blood,

and that they testify

with the Spirit, providing

unassailable evidence.

Spirit, water, blood –

these are beyond

the testimony of the court,

beyond the oath we take:

the blood giving life

the water sustaining life

the Spirit infusing life

Photograph by Seth Macey via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Water, twice

The child felt the sprinkle

of the few cool drops, wetness,

momentary but slight,

sufficient, however, to elicit

a cry, momentary but slight.

The man felt the water

rush over his head, pushing

downward, then pulled

upward, water pouring

from his hair, his shoulders,

only a moment but sufficient

to remember the sprinkle.

Photograph by Maliz Ong via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.

The water stood silent

Reflecting emptiness,
the water stood silent,
still, pooling beneath
words spoken too soon.
A time once, you said,
a time, you said, long past,
carried by the stream
to the forgotten sea.
The bridge arched an eye,
blinking back a fall of tears
on an early winter’s day.


This poem is submitted for the Saturday Poetics at dVerse Poets. Today’s prompt is water. You can read the prompt information at the site, and see other poems submitted here.

Photograph: Bridge at St. Mary’s Loch, Scottish Borders, by Michael Drummond via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.