Song of the branch

It was my honor to have contributed a poem to The Way Back to Ourselves Literary Journal's Spring 2025 Collection. The first two stanzas are below with a link to the rest.

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love."

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Lord Jesus Christ, whom my soul loves,

Oh, cleave my stony heart in twain

That I may cleave the more to you.

Your Word-Sword having severed me

From native barren brambly thorns—

Engraft me to yourself, my wounds

To yours, bound, bandaged, sealed, that I

May dwell in you and you in me.

(My love is mine, and I am his.)

Hidden with you in God, I dwell.

Your love enlivens me, restores

Slakes thirst without satiety

Or surfeit, O beloved Lord.

You only satisfy my heart,

Yet, tasting living water kills

My appetite for wells and cisterns.

For you and your Word, my soul yearns.

To continue reading, please visit the publication site here or listen to me read the prayer poem to you at the player above. You may also enjoy browsing the other creative work selected for this edition.

A Prayer for a Life-Changing Diagnosis

 from one who has been there

God of all comfort, God who heals:
I bring You the grief and relief,
the anxiety, overwhelm, and loneliness
of this new diagnosis.

Thank You that this has not surprised You;
thank You that it can neither separate me from Your love
nor thwart Your purposes for my life,
nor diminish my value in Your sight.

Father of mercies, Great Physician:
Lead me to wise, skilled, compassionate doctors
who will not minimize, psychologize, or dismiss my symptoms,
but faithfully fulfil their sworn duty of care.

Send one or two loyal companions,
undeterred by the chronicity of suffering,
not seeking to fix, but willing to stay,
steady in the unsteadiness of my path.
Hold up those who hold up my arms in this battle.

Take from me this bitter cup of suffering if You will;
if not, sweeten my Marah with Your cross and communion.
Enlighten my eyes to see my scars as
Your faithful love inscribed on my body—
”Hither by Thy help I come”—
As a point of communion with the eternally
nail-scarred risen Christ.
Let me know You in this infirmity
in ways I could not receive without it.

You are good in this;
You are good to me:
You are the best of friends,
my soul’s Physician,
who will never abandon or fail
me, for Jesus’ sake.

Amen.

Daleth: A prayer in response to Psalm 119:25-32

When my soul clings to the dust,

Let me cling to Your testimonies!

Your Word is water for my parched soul,

Honeyed bread for my weary heart,

Breath for my fainting spirit.



Lead me in the way of faithfulness,

To love and love and love

And follow

Your glorious Word.

Enlarge my heart to run after You

When You lead the way.



Deliver me from the shame and

Reproach which I dread.

Deliver me from dread of man

And fill me with dread awe of You.



Hold me fast, Lord, to Yourself and Your Word.

Hold me up, that I might not fall away.

Hold me close, for the way is hard,

And only Your love holds my melting soul together.

Blessed Are the Desperate: A Poem

Blessed are those who are out of their depths, 

Facing whelms impassable without an ark 

Or a parting of the waves so complete 

That the soggy mud of river bottom 

Unsquelches and hardens into pavement 

For multitudes to cross. 

Blessed are the wilderness wanderers, 

Led, not lost, yet nonetheless 

Out of water, out of food, out of options, 

Unless their Shepherd supplies their need. 

Blessed are the desperate, 

For never can they forget their desperate 

Dependence on God— 

True of all of us, 

All of the time, 

Yet so easily forgotten 

In level lands and well-stocked shelves. 

Blessed are the needy, 

Crying out to God, 

For they shall find Him faithful.

A prayer for all government leaders

O Most High God,

King of kings and Lord of lords,

Who rules the kingdom of humanity and gives it to who You will:

All Your works are right and Your ways just;

The hearts of the greatest in power and wealth are like streams of water You turn where You wish;

In Your great mercy and steadfast love,

Guide and direct our governing authorities

So that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives,

Godly and dignified in every way;

Draw our leaders always nearer to Yourself,

That they might do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before You,

Until Your kingdom comes in fullness, on earth as it is in heaven,

In the mighty name of Jesus.

Amen.