All Silver Linings

You may have everyone else fooled, but not me. I bore witness to how the world bent around You; I thought it eternally rigid, yet You stand a Testament to its malleability. Only the divine can do what You do, And You don’t need seven days like the rest.

When I went out on the morning we met, I was the sight that made eyes sore, My shirt more wrinkled than smooth, my hair a billowing mass of defeat. Upon my return, I found myself a dignified creature Whose locks trailed in my wake like seeds from a dandelion And whose clothes were reminiscent of the weathered robes of Angels; I looked like Your hand on my shoulder, like You laughing at something I said. That was some fine trickery on Your part.

We stepped in a puddle during Our stroll. My boots still have the splattered trophy to show for it. I’ve been cautioned about Temptations like You, The Ones who draw your focus away from the ills of the world. I forgot to be irritated about mud and mosquitos, The car that barreled by looked as gentle as the freckles crinkling on Your cheeksNothing is a nuisance when You tell me about Your day.

I could have sworn I read about You in some ancient Script, A stiff paper-grave of lost worship gawked at by nonbelievers. I imagined something more of a bygone relic, thoughA prismatic vision of Wings or Scepters or Robes straight from a delusion. I thought You’d send me on some quest to kill in Your name, Yet when We met, all You wanted was my story. No mere omnipotence can equal Your friendship.

I gladly surrender to Your grace, for what else is a simple being to do? Yours is a greater power than the might of hurricanes and scourging of plagues: In the face of catastrophes unseen in eras, You’ve resigned me to peace. Rainy days used to be the culprits of cancellations most devilish; Now they’re an excuse to think of the day You Commanded, “Can I walk with you?”

ALL SILVER LININGS Poem by Holly Smith Design by Soumya Kona 27Fall 2020

Cover by Grace Dooley