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.