FOR DOUGLAS: THE NINTH YEAR

Draw me into the depths.

Take me down into the holy darkness to Love’s roots.

I lean into that darkness,

The darkness that surrounds me,

This nurturing room for my restless spirit….

I keep vigil:

With my heart’s eternal questions, and with my deep longings,

With those places in my being where the light has grown dim.

With those whose hearts are tired, and with those whose hope is lost.

For those who sleep and for those who cannot rest.

For those with fearful hearts, and for those whose hearts are angry.

For those who suffer, and for those who keep vigil.

I keep vigil. I keep vigil. I keep vigil. I keep vigil.

For I have seen too many stars,

Too many stars to let the darkness overwhelm me.

M. Wiederkehr, V. Frye