Sonnet 21 - A Wedding Wish

       For Jennie and Chris

 

   The sun sets over fairway, tree, and green.

   It flings the day’s last rays, which land by chance

   on a young couple pausing in between

   the happy quick-step at a wedding dance.

   And in that moment they look unafraid,

   with shining eyes and smiles that light each face.

   Both have just heard a wedding promise made,

   and both know soon their own vows will take place.

   But quick steps now can lead to lengthy hikes,

   with thirst that grows beneath the constant sun.

   Grooms water greens before hot weather strikes;

   and love that’s tended lasts for the long run.

   So tend to one another, give and forgive,

   and your love will sustain you as long as you live.

 

Prayers

For the conclusion of the 2020 Stewardship Drive at East Congregational Church of Milton, Mass.

With thanks to Anne Lamott

The times they were painful, and frightening. We felt

as thousands fell ill, and then passed away,

that although church was closed, we still needed to pray

for this quiet and shuttered up world.  Help.

In long-ago times people would wonder how

all through a pandemic we still had been able

to hear the Lord’s word and break bread at God’s table,

joined in from near and from far. With Zoom.  Wow.

Now through this past month we have joined in the ranks

of the saints who gave of their own free will

to relieve the needy, and replenish God’s till,

and our prayers went from Help, to Wow, to Thanks.