Take a Chance

(Surreal Night Sky Moon and Stars by Melissa Bittinger)

If you cancel the trip to Innesfree

because it's raining, you may miss the quick

red rage of a torn leaf

before it gentles itself onto the quiet pool.

The tests warned him that his exceptional mind

was weakest for doing math, so math

is what he took up with holy awe,

forcing his dazzled way to insight.

If you always leave a nightlight burning

because as a child you got fearfully lost,

turn it off. The lights far out in the dark

are sending lifelines you never imagined.

The New Age seers, tracking the fates, may tell you

no — but take a chance. Just maybe that old

unbelievable Yahweh really did imprint you

with enough God Image to make you free to leap.

~Rod Jellema