16th Day of Lent

VESSEL
By Debra Rienstra


Fill me,
for I have nothing.
Dry as a desert widow,
I offer dust to travelers.

I pour and pour
till my edges ache.
Mirage of fragrant oil
recedes to thinner
nothing.

Empty,
I set myself aside.

How curious, though---
a pale surface
glossed with light;
spiraled pattern of your making
dashed with color;
I a concave stillness
Waiting, opened
in wonder.

Let me hold nothing too long
for empty
I am beautiful.


...And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:2-5 (NIV)