April 26-27, 2023

Tent

I had intended to start this poem like this:

I have a friend who doesn’t believe in Heaven

not a stupid person, yet with all he knows, he never talks to God.

He thinks no one listens in Heaven.

inverting the first lines of “Celestial Music”

that lovely poem of Louise Glück

though sad

but

has there ever been a day I've not been surrounded

by those who love and serve The One?

no

there has not been

there has never been a day

not one single day

not even the smallest piece of one

when I've not been among the throng

praise on our tongues

joy in our hearts

redemption on our souls

dancing exultant toward His house

the storm may rage without

the sheltered find rest within

This began as a riff on Louise Glück's "Celestial Music" but I have no friends, clever or otherwise, who don't love God. My whole life long, however, I have been surrounded by those who love God as I do.

“Celestial Music” is a beautiful poem, though quite sad.