signs (John 17:1-11)

not in a great
         flood
   washing us all
            away,
   but
      in the muddy
            puddle
      where children
      float boats
      created out of
      leaves and twigs,
   we find your
          power;

not in the superstars
      who step off
      the red carpet
            for a quick
            selfie,
   but
      in the kitchen
      of the grandmother
   setting out a platter
   of just-baked
           cookies
   and glasses of cold
                  milk
      for the kids
      coming in from
            school,
   we feel your
          presence;

not in the candidate's
      confetti-strewn
            ballroom
         with ecstatic supporters
         popping champagne,
   but
      in the indigents
      hospital ward
   where nurses treat
   their patients as if
         they were royalty,
      we glimpse you
              glory.

(c) 2014 Thom M. Shuman