The Visit

This was written during another Lent, in the arid region of Central Otago, in New Zealand’s South Island. The prayer at the time was one almost of protest because it had become all too apparent that the friend with whom I was staying would not live long. It strikes me that there was a similarity between my reaction and the reaction of Peter in this Sunday’s gospel – but the result of that afternoon’s “visit” was acceptance, and peace.

Today I sat late
And the light was different
But a light glowed in my soul
Painfully, almost choking
So that my breathing stopped
As if to listen to the pain
And God was in the hot wind
From the bare hills
As the sun beat on the dry grass
And a rainbow shone through my tears.

©C.M.M.

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