Blessed by Jackie Kierulf

I search

on the Sea of Galilee

In rough of waves

and still of dawn

and at sunset

Dark shadows haunting light

In pebbles

Mixed with cockle shells

Treading barefoot, meeting tide

Wind gusts grazing face

Raindrops marking windows

She is not there

Unoiled doors at thresholds

Of Cathedrals and chapels

Beneath altars

in pews, threadbare prayer books and hymnals

and aisles, echoing empty

with hollow naves perched high

votives freshly lit

flames restless

wild and smouldering

wax dripping and dried

burning out a prayer

Still

she is no where

Though when eyes weary twinkle

And hands grasp tight

in gazes gaunt and bodies frail

faint smiles emerge

amidst suffering

because

in charity and kindness she’s there

And he

divine in favour

finds me

without my will

or expectation

he

frees me

Undeserved

Unworthy

And

Grace from him

Is enough

Jackie lives in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Her publications include Hello and Goodbye (Dribbles, Drabbles and Postcards), The Ballet Class (Wanderers), "Saturday" (Route 7 Review), and Birthdays 2022 (Grief Dialogues Stories, US). Besides writing, Jackie enjoy hiking, reading, and traveling. You can find Jackie’s work at cherishingthedeathprocess.com and at fromsimplewordstorealstories.home.blog.