A Psalm to God the Father - Second Place Poetry - by James Dittes

A Psalm to God the Father

Second Place Poetry

by James Dittes

I had an embaressing moment today,

My trousers split apart at the seams

And introduced to the world

A flaming red pair of boxer shorts -

My red boxer shorts.

I stumbled through a gauntlet of laughing peers

I hurried home and slammed at the front door shut,

But my embarrassment and my shame snuck in anyway.

I broke into tears and I called to my God:

"Holy Father, sovereign Lord,

You know all things and see all things.

Surely you see my embarassment,

Surely you know my shame.

Surely you heard my so-called 'friends'.

When they saw my red boxer shorts

And sneered and chuckled out loud."

And as I cried I felt His arms draw around me.

As I fell silent I heard Him speak in a colossal whisper:

"My dear son, I am with you always.

For where you run, I am in the wind that follows;

When you shout, I am the resounding echo;

And when you pants split apart

I was there. I saw your red boxer shorts

And I chuckled too.

For I am a part of life - not apart from it.

I run and sing and shout and laugh too.

My precious son, my tender loved one,

Let me live with you - I gave my life for such a privilege.

And I will.

I will soar with you up on my wings;

I will swoop down and lift you up

When your whole life splits apart.

And I will nestle you on a high place forever...

FOREVER.

When I had heard this, I thanked the Lord.

I got up from my knees;

I wiped the tears from my eyes

And I put on a new pair of pants.