Hymn – by KB Ballentine

Take off your shoes —

midnight’s thirst slaked by cup, by storm
   your arm on pillows, waits to embrace me
sunrise washes the horizon pink and gold
   sheets flap in summer breezes, wrapping us at night
wrens scuffle the porch rail, chorus enough
   coffee infuses the air with morning
lake echoes tree, cloud — a double portion of joy
   a pocketful of mints, one for each grandchild
raindrops pearl the oak leaves
   woodpecker drums a hollow tree
a cat purrs on your lap, kneads you in sleep
   scarlet maples flame the sky
children’s voices on the school bus sing through the air
   the neighbor’s dog waits to play, snuffles for treats
snowflakes stray from woolly clouds
   melodies half–remembered, hummed in a shower
twilight sparks with fireflies, stars
   your heart beat under my cheek
 
—    for this is holy ground

www.kbballentine.com

“Earth is crammed with heaven and every bush afire with God but only he who sees takes off his shoes.” — EB Browning