blocks (Mark 9:38-50)

when we spell 
   faith 
f-e-a-r; 
when we cross out 
   love 
with anger's sharpie; 
when we think 
   hope 
is best kept 
locked away 
in case others 
might misuse it, 
we continue to put blocks 
in the path 
of your children. 
 
(c) 2018 Thom M. Shuman 

crumbs (Mark 7:24-37)

with great umbrage
(and righteous words),
we call you out,
   Jesus-in-our-box,
for turning your back
on a crying mother's
hopes for help,
         but

when we put pocket change
in the plate, saving
our folding money
for the buffet down the street;

toss our (slightly) stained
and (only a small one) torn
winter jacket in the collection
for the homeless folks
instead of that brand new one
we just got for ourselves
(two winters ago);

empty our pantries
of the about-to-expire
canned goods for the
food pantry, so we can
go and get newer ones for us,

we continue to believe
our crumbs are a feast
for those we wouldn't welcome
to our tables.

(c) 2018 Thom M. Shuman