“Remembrances:” a poem

Remembrances

I

Yes, we fear, because we are human.

We know the valley of the shadow

of death.

We also yearn for the sunrise,

for birdsong at dawn

that beckons our soul to sing.

Many days, I can only listen

for the birds, but that is enough.

That is enough for now. 

II

When I find myself

in a dark valley, with the fog of fear

pressing cold against my skin,

give me the courage to tie

red thread on the lowest limbs,

to guide other souls

when their time comes

to walk this path.

III

To be a person of faith

is to carry flint and dry twigs

safely in your pocket,

to light a fire when one is needed

and pour a circle of heaven

into the darkest room.

IV

In the end, all are crying glory.

If all aren’t crying glory,

it is not the end.

–Stuart Higginbotham