vigil

by Jill Crainshaw


as life is dawning

stardust swirls–timelessness spills into time
spirit winds breathe–soil awakens

“it is good”

the sea piles up in a heap
miriam-people drum and dance
freedom footprints at water’s liberating edge

stardust swirls–lights upon the earth
spirit winds breathe–ashes rise up

feet seeking peace
wander back and forth 
cypress and cedar keep vigil

stardust swirls–seasons forest floors
spirit winds breathe–particles matter

“oh, dry bones, listen”

stardust swirls–glitters on weary feet
spirit winds breathe–broken hearts dance

as the first day is dawning
between a rock and a hard place
earth trembles and stones scurry away

stardust returns–touches earth’s aching skin
spirit winds breathe–hope lives

“it is good”


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Jill Crainshaw is a professor at Wake Forest University School of Divinity in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She enjoys exploring how words give voice to unexpected ideas, insights and visions.