Living Tree Poetry

There is something in the tone
of grief, of fear.
There is something
in the act of crying out,
voicing a name – ‘mama’, ‘God.’

Something that,
in the time it takes the tongue to stutter,
the heart to start, stop,
has drawn a path,
accessed heaven.

There is something
about the one who inclines his head,
wipes away tears,
gives back strength for weakness,
dignity for disgrace.

There is something in the way
we are heard, are not forsaken,
though to all appearances
we are left out,
beggars on the street, broken.

There is something in the tone
that cuts a path direct to heaven.
There is something in the word,
‘mama’, ‘papa’,
‘please’ –

anything we call out in our need.
Everything,
just another name for God.

– ‘All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved’
Romans 10:13

Ana Lisa de Jong
Living Tree Poetry
May 2020