January 26–February 1 ❘ Acceptable Offering
Acceptable Offering
Scripture means little
till you’ve lived it,
inhabited its words
like a way-house,
wrapped yourself in sorrow
like a second-hand jacket.
In the midst of affliction,
my table holds
one broken heart laid out,
one contrite spirit sliced thin.
I taste only ashes
of this single sacrifice.
I know it isn’t good to focus
so wholly on one need
to the hollowing out
of all others, but I feel
like a foolish child, slow to speak
and slower to understand.
Perhaps if I give
every open wound,
every raw nerve and scrap of hope
within me, it will be enough
and my offering will be
acceptable to the Lord.
Read more of my poetry at www.facebook.com/latterdaysaintpoetry
Contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com
