Intertwined

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:1-11

Intertwined

I walked early upright chasing
brother and sisters running ahead
out in the yard under a blue cloud canopy
free and untethered we played until dark.

On the move first on bikes than bigger wheels
we drove to the edge of our universe
escaping the confines of home and rules
pushing boundaries of safety and sanity
independence was our chant, it was our cry.

It takes wisdom to see the tethers of love
to know the confines as caring
the boundaries as tender safety nets
to recognize be held as being set free.

It takes a hard fall a rough spill
we wake up surrounded by our bleeding needs
our obvious vulnerability and we cry out
again and again, to parent and siblings
we cry out to our Creator our God.

They were never far off but always with us
God with sweet soft vines held us close
without our knowing we were protected
love bound our wounds and took us up
lifting the burden of arrogance and independence
and revealing healing and new life.

We are bound together woven in love
free to wander, free to discover
new love in foreign places as we carry
our elder wisdom with us, our new strength
compassion and power that are found
deep within our weakness and humility.