God so loved the world

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” John 3:16-21

God So Loved the World

Like a parent aching
for a fevered infant
a mother waiting breathlessly
for a good sign
a father pacing with hope
and tethered anxiety
God so loved the world.

Like a frustrated genius
seeking the absolute solution
like an artist with wet brushes
tensing to touch a canvas
like a violinist tightening
the bow again and again
God so loved the world.

Like an actor waiting
backstage in darkness
like a dancer stretching
one last time to music
like a singer rehearsing
backstage pacing
God so loved the world.

Like a child running
to a returning parent
like a soldier returning
home from war
like a baby cradled
and swaddled in arms
God so loved the world.

For all the parents
and for all the children
for all the broken soldiers
and for all the ruined dancers
for all the prisoners
and all the jailers
God so loved the world.