At Bethany

our big buy-in

was his bright bow-out.

We craned our necks

skyward like condo

projects, eager for heaven

and high densities.

All those nights before—

     sleeping on the beach

     beside our boats,

    the smell of twin sweats

    on our bodies and our nets—

now were memories;

He made our country

minds cities,

He urbanized our hearts.

Before, we could barely

hold a note between us,

now suddenly we were singing

Gospel

in long, white robes:

the new temple choir,

“Amazing Grace” for the first

time on human lips.

Meanwhile we waited out the gift.

It was on the Way.

He had sent it

special courier

who ran and whistled

like the wind.