Still, quiet, pensive,
Through two hours of our
reflections and readings
he sat.
Leaning forward, knees and hands together as if in prayer
Then tentatively pages came out of pockets.
Unfolded, a furtive glance, refolded
precious bits of self taken out for examination
and judgment.
A pause,
an invitation
And then with great apologies
for the unfinished nature of his poem,
he read.
The heavens
shuddered and sighed
as one more brave soul
opened and shared
his authentic, imperfect voice
in the chorus of life.
Alleluia! Amen!
—Rose Lester
Rose Lester is a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice. As a true renaissance woman, she aspires to all things creative and is at home in a variety of creative mediums from song writing and singing, to playing her violin and guitar, to painting and sculpting, or writing poems about life and transformation. Her poems have been published in several anthologies and online websites. She volunteers for the Art for Healing program at Mercy Hospital and helps lead the Threshold Choir that sings at the bedside of those in need of comfort and peace.