I look across the carpet and see
a hundred translucent insect wings
sparkling in the morning sunlight.”
We live in a “civilized” country,
yet our homes are filled again
with flying termites.
They group helplessly around
living room lights,
a swarm drawn irresistibly to
any glow in the night.
They get caught in our hair,
we bat them out of our clothes,
they land in food.
Soon they fall, wingless,
to crawl about on the floor,
crunching underfoot,
until they die in their appointed time.
Two or three nights a year
we make contingency plans
with our evening activities,
brushing them off of our pillows
as we fall asleep.
Then we forget about the inconvenience
and go on with life.
I look across the city and see
a million golden spirit houses
sparkling in the morning sunlight.
We live in a “civilized” country,
yet our neighborhoods are filled always
with reminders of spiritual darkness.
Worshippers group helplessly around
images,
a swarm drawn irresistibly to
any good-luck glow in the night.
Superstitions get caught by our casual camera photos,
we bat the scent of incense out of our clothes,
merit blessings are poured over our food.
Soon the people fall, godless,
to crawl about on the floor, crunching under the enemy’s foot,
until they die in their appointed time.
Two or three times a year
we may focus on the lost
in this country,
making plans
to fit into our activities,
though brushing faces out of our minds
as we fall asleep.
Then we forget about the reminders of darkness around us,
and go on with life.
Father, keep me from long-term complacency as I serve You.
©2004 Thrive
View the original print magazine where this article was first published.
