I.

Cosmopolitan communicator,
you seemed to me a natural -- 
a bridge between tradition and the way
opening up for us because he lived
and is alive forever in our hearts.

Your credentials were impeccable
and I vouched for you and all you could do.
In your eyes: a spectacle, starry hope
that reminded me of home and the
Light I would bear for him.

Your smile brought me back to hope
enough to believe all had not been lost
in desert days that stretched out before me.
How deeply I loved you, like a guardian, holding
high the flame of faith rekindled for us then.

You saw in me a purity, but believed
it could not be. And, looking for reasons,
you found just cause to find fault, bringing
to bear the silent assault of the ages.
The dawning truth assauges. And yet...

II.

How I have grieved the vast oceans of loss,
remembering again how, in the end, you tied me up
in a rudderless boat, cast me out, set me afloat.
Having drifted for eons, I find my voice
and sing the song you said you loved.

No more prisons, dusty roads and blinding light.
The Lord has yet restored my sight. I, too,
was blind, but now I see the gift of you,
the gift of me. I will love again, remembering
the truth we share is broken open.

We are two expressions of a great love
that chose us both, such an honoring.
We are vessels, meant to sail, for bearing
and for giving, for seeing and for telling.
One in him, we are, a single star.

Streams of soul sent flowing out and through
my heart, your mind, my body, your spirit,
and into each other and all the world
set spinning by what we set in motion
in the beginning we thought the end.

III.

See, my friend, the perfected beauty of it all:
the rose, the thorn, the flesh, the blood.
Feel this love, this balm, this new being
and becoming at long last who we are
and once were in that short span.

As time goes by, we come again
to a place of choosing what course to take.
The roads converge, weaving strands of experience
into patterns of stunning brilliance. We are walking
in the way, coming into another day.

Light breaks along the path. I see it
reflected in your eye and in all of history.
I know that all is well, and we have a story
left to tell. Still, without you, I have no words.
Without me, you have words without a tune.

Let us join our heart, sun and moon,
in a chorus of praise to bright and morning star;
Alpha and Omega; Jesus, lover of my soul;
the Lord who met you on your way;
the babe who in a manger lay.

IV.

Let Love be restored and one faith
reborn this resurrection morn, so long night
of my soul's wandering and long day
of your mind's taunted torturing of self
be laid to rest. May we do our best

And know it is enough, returning now
to lay our hearts at the altar of this time.
I see him coming to us now, laughing,
arms thrown open in sweet welcome.
We are peace as he is love.

May this be our preparation
for the long-awaited Sabbath Day.
This is my small offering, desire true . May it
yet be found in you. I search now my heart
for signs and wonders, a mysterious grace.

Out of time here in this place. In inner sanctuary
I gather strength to bow, release that blessing long withheld,
relinquish my hold on a million ways I once said you
made it all impossible. Through tears
truth comes to me: I am whole.

V.

He has set a lamp burning on this way,
and waters part to bring us full circle.
At another choice point, we are infinite possibility.
I light a candle for long-awaited reconciliation,
but know all is grace-filled celebration.

He is alive, and I love him.
I am alive, and he loves me.

I can hear you singing
in my dreams.

The light no longer blinds,
only heals,
only heals.

(c) Dawn Richerson, 2013