With-Ness

So many heavy and hard moments From the weights of life’s ending To the laughter of newness in a baby’s smile Amidst the sun and rain of those who for them care These seem like relentless currents An uncontrollable wave of who’s sending? Even still, in this eternal love I’ll stay a while At this holy table I will pull up a chair As a witness to the final breaths In a with-ness to the diving in the prayer accompanying death As a witness to the joy of childhood In a with-ness to all that you call good May I be a witness not only of those I see But may I be your with-ness to the good catastrophe