Arise, Shine

Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Lift up your eyes and look around;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from far away,
and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.
Isaiah 60:1-6


She wants to roll over and go back
to sleep, to dream to avoid
standing on the stage of life and singing
trembling in the bright light of day
fear unmasked and revealed for all to see.

She is young and unseasoned
she is seasoned and weary reasoning hiding
safe and warm, covers overhead burrowed
into darkness familiar and intimate
is better than exposure, better than cold
morning feet on frigid tile.

Arise, shine for there is more
to see and do and love
despite the fear and rejection
the turns and tumbles in the road
the swerving drunks, broken bodies
rent hearts and tears flowing,
there is more.

A child awaits a smile
an elder an ancient song
the hungry a small breakfast
the ill a chance to breathe full again
and there is warmth despite
the winter whipping wind and love
grows despite rejection and pain
and there is more to love and see
and do.


Arise, shine for your light has come!