How to Seize a Morning

When Cancer Lands Harvest Thoughts (And Book News!)

How to Seize a Morning

If, when I first awaken,

I lie immobile,

my thoughts a tiptoe,

my breath a prayer,

I may surprise morning

as it grooms itself with

that soft petal tongue.

If I’m oh, so quiet, I

may snag it by a foot before

it leaps out of reach,

may seize it beneath its

shoulders, its fur

soft on my palms

as I lift it,

its heft a dangling promise

that I will sing.

*****

As Jacob started on his way again, angels of God came to meet him. When Jacob saw them, he exclaimed, “This is God’s camp!” . . .

Jacob stayed where he was for the night . . . spent that night in the camp . . .

During the night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two servant wives, and his eleven sons and crossed the Jabbok River with them. After taking them to the other side, he sent over all his possessions.

This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!”

But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

From Genesis 32

*******

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”

—Psalm 90:14