The concrete is cool, and the air smells green, and the trees are dark, beautiful, and even in the harsh headlights, there are reflections of God's glory, as the head lights stream through the branches and the negative shines on the brick of the houses. And the crickets and frogs, and I see a speck of light, and it's a lightning bug, and I am amazed, because I went to sleep smiling when a boy gave me pink-dyed carnations, and you made this all. (Like mud pies and holidays at the sea... I am far too easily pleased). All the wisteria that I love, pretty purple on dark green, and the bougenvilla on the porch, and the sweet williams, and the strawberries, and their little white flowers, and poppies, the heavy blooms, too much for their stems, and the opened flowers, fragile and bright. And every star. I count forty seven, but it's overcast, there are things in my way. And this is what it means to be still before the lord, to smell, and wrap in my cover, listening to the music, crickets that sound like birds, cheeping quietly. And I can't help but stand up and dance. spinning, spinning, down the hill, out of control. And when I come back inside I see a little dog, and I am overwhelmed by your sense of fun, in this pesky little runt, and how much you love me, and the silky spot on his throat and little gray whiskers under his chin, and the way he licks away tears--things you made. And when I get to my room, divine romance is playing on my laptop. And I dance again.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. pslams 23:6

"Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. Hosea 2:14
The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. Psalm 45:11

You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. Song of Solomon 4:9

My name. They cry out my name.
Crucify him, they call. Crucify
Me. And I am blood
Stained, deep red upon my hands.
Bloody bloody hands.
A murderer.

Dark and dirt and sweat and hurt
Black black
This is what I have been
This cell, it holds me in.

I feel it now. Cold
Metal in my palm.
Taste blood upon my tongue.
Soldiers come.
They lead me down
A hall. Dark and long.

I feel this death upon my shoulders
They come, shouts of crowd
Follow on their heels.
They lead me out,
To the light and loud.
Though that crowd;
My name, they call. Crucify him.

Not I but him, they hang
Upon that cross.
Not mine but his,
Hands they pierce.
My sin, God’s wrath, upon the
Son.

He took my place.
Praise the worthy lamb of God.
Praise his name. He took
My cross.