A poem in honor of the third time in my life when my jaw has gotten sore from too much smiling. The only times I can remember feeling this way before were the day I was healed from a chronic pain that lasted six years, and my wedding day. Pearl, my lovely baby, reminds me daily how God stupefies my expectations of what he’s willing to do.
Once again you’ve overwhelmed me
with just how good you are.
Once again you’ve given me
a light that defies concealment
a joy as bright and powerful
as obvious as any hurt
I might write or weep about.
Months and years stretch out in doubt
so unaware your wave of joy
is about to crash upon me.
While I hold out my little clay cup
and beg for just another sip-full
“Would that be so very hard?”
You smile and prepare an ocean
that embraces my horizon.
Once again you’ve given me
a joy that widens my perception
of how loyal your love is
how sincere your promise is
how good you really are.