Breathe, O Lord, upon us.

O Lord, how we need

The blessings in the Seed

That fell from Heaven

To this Earth’s poor soil.

Yet sprouting to un-barren desolation’s curse.

Flinging, green and strong

His life-engendering tendrils

All along the barren pathway,

Desolate as death,

Lifeless as a body without breath.

Hear, Lord, as with empty hearts we wait.

Breathe, O breathe upon us, though the hour be late.

James W. Gustafson

June, 2016