Listen

The crunch of dried berries, hard, underfoot, 

on my walk to the park after days of no rain.

The sharp POP of acorn shot from its cap

by the wind, in the night, on the hood of my car.

The whispering rustle of palm fronds in wind,

greet me during day, croon lullaby at night.

Startled cry of moorhen 

when long neck of crane, 

motoring submerged, periscopes from water

surveying the shore.

Infant chatter in stroller and car seat, 

rolling bright sounds through throat, tongue and teeth.

Raucous shouts and laughter of young boys making chase

on hard tiled floor with wagon and cart.

Snatches of conversation, overheard on the trail,

injecting mystery and story and marvel

that love endures at all.

Quiet chats with daughters-in-law,

across lunch table, in back of car, 

punctuated always with children sounds, life noise.

The laughter of Brunit, unfettered, free,

her hope now found in crossbar of tree.

For this Multitude Monday I thank God for sounds of life and joy from my week.

Let the sea resound, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands,

let the mountains sing together for joy;

let them sing before the LORD,

for he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness

and the peoples with equity.

This hope I hold and celebrate this Christmas:

God, the Lamb, 

born in barn, 
stretched on tree,

judges all 
with love forged 
equity.

I will trust His heart.