Weathering

(Photography by Jonny Gios - found here)

A long day, profligate with rain,

followed by a crystalline night and
a prodigality of stars.
Such a spendthrift God we have

who gave us all this. Who also
spread, with his large hand, rosy
streaks of light over this morning’s
cloud heaven and hilltop!

Doesn’t your breath sometimes quicken
at such magnificence, like a wave
cresting? And then, the astonishment
that you can tell it out,

can share it all with your friend,
generous as sunlight through the morning
window, specific as the gleam of
a gold wedding ring on your finger.

How else can you hold on to all
the world-loveliness but by pinning it
in print on paper, feasting on it, then
free of charge, in the company of friends?

~Luci Shaw