this road whereupon we agree

by Elizabeth de Barros

John Wolford Road

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 Let me walk with you,

this road will take us places.

“But it’s long, my view is obscured, I cannot see…”

Then we will take turns following.

…

 (And we also have found this to be true: Agreement is formed in times of need)

…

 If you have borne the burden in the heat of the day

driven like a madman for mercy’s sake

 gathered up a bowl of ginkgo leaves

 and seen winter’s bruisings pass into spring

— and if I witnessed your faith when you prayed,

“Perhaps healing will come anyway” — 

then you have proven something to me:

Persistence is a hand that reaches up

and guidance too is a term that forms,

burrowing deep in the conscience —

protecting, 

sustaining, 

hoping.

Where, at last,

faith is home 

 and this then is our evidence: 

Assurance.

… 

Such were the steps we took

(intentionality can be painstaking, if not starkly beautiful)

knowing we’ll meet again

 but for now

these walks 

at dawn

as we watch the swan circle

and the sun through the willow

as it weeps

after dusk

locked at the hip

moving like Jacob

holding hands

until the road parts in two.

 

Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?

— Amos 3:3

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 ©2014 Elizabeth DeBarros