Speaking of Listening






How many times You were silent,

Words unnecessary.

Even You, the Word,

Were the quiet word,

Brief,

In season.


You saw,

Asked,

Sighed,

Prayed,

Walked,

Dined,

Celebrated.


And mostly, You listened.

To Your Father and Your Spirit,

To Your beloveds,

To suffering mortals in need of mercy,

To the praise of children,

To the service of rejects, humble and sure,

To Your accusers.


Speak now, oh, Beautiful One.

Your voice is the Song of Songs,

Your body the Word made flesh.

Your wisdom shaped for my own ears,

And the fruit of your lips a tabled feast.


I await Your pleasure. 

But How Do You Know?

How do I know?

Well,

How do I know a rock is firm?

How do I know a father is tender?

How do I know a word is good?

How do I know the sky speaks?

How do I know I am not ashamed?

How do I know what a song should be about?

How do I know to cry at birth?

How do I know which way is forward?

How do I know a kindness when it lands?

How do I know children’s children are life’s crown?

How do I know violet or bottle-green?

How do I know the sun will rise?

How do I know to inhale?


How do you not know?

Camille Mary Kaufmann, 2/2/23 To God Be The Glory