We sat together,
the four of us,
holding hands.
In our midst 
shone the Light
of a single candle,
made from the drippings
of all the candles
that had ever shone before it,
offering us the same Light. 
Without words
I was somehow able to convey
the gratitude that is 
healing my soul;
thanking You 
for abilities 
and willingnesses
and surrenders
that have come 
not from my own power,
for I have none
without You. 
There will never be 
enough time
to express it all – 
at least not while I am still here. 
Yet in conveying,
without words,
I know that
You understand. 
That, in itself, is enough. 
But as I opened my eyes
and looked down at 
the flame within our midst, 
I could not stop myself 
from speaking,
from trying to put into words 
the Joy that spilled out of my heart yesterday
when I saw what You had done:

“Thank You so much for painting the doors yellow!”

I rolled my eyes 
and cringed within 
as I heard myself blurting noise into our silence…
…until You winked at me 
and smiled all the smiles 
that have ever healed another
without words.
Then I knew 
You knew 
what I meant.  


*With thanks for Paul Clark