it stings
when out of view
pangs the heart
and wells the eyes
when nearer
though it sings
cools the sleep
clears the skies
or quiets
bitter query
what to do
and why is this
pity, self-ward turned
discontent
mercy missed
its wings
are threaded verse
feathered vow
for all you need
to dwindle
what is darkened
what is deafened
what impedes
to know
the flyer flits
just up ahead
just as before
would wholly
set you free
awaken thee
to love much more

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all  ~ Emily Dickinson

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Hebrews 1:11

image: drawing by Susie Blythe Anderson

we fixed up the kids’ room
with bunk beds raised up
for drawers underneath
and purchased duvets
in aqua and teal
which look quite appealing
in that fresh laundry way
and we set the grey desk
with black hairpin legs
across from the bunks
and next to the cart
and moved the blonde bookshelf
with books and small bins
for jewels and for figures
and scraps and supposes
to the far window wall
so the middle is open
for rolling and growing
and the space is successful
and the children are happy
and we are productive
and it’s good, it feels good
and down the hall is my closet
and so my closet is next
again
and I will be ruthless
and banish what’s idle
and all that’s unneeded
and feel more productive
in my simplified space
and then after that
and a thing after that
my head will be clear
to see what is broken
the root unobscured
and fix it

Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.  1 Corinthians 5:7

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians  4:18

image: Messy Bed Room by Amer Dhahir