Durable Hope

I heard a preacher yesterday
who called the faithful
to offer durable hope; durable
hope in these times of fear,
times of armouring up, so 
many uncertainties, times
of signs and questionable portents.
In this wild and tremulous now,
the faithful are called
to offer durable hope
as we all make our way together,
onward and once again, home.

I kept feeling the echo of that phrase—
Durable Hope, a lasting
balance point, centre weight,
withstanding the barrage
of news and sometimes,
even our own imagination;
A Good that travels well,
that can be shared, that 
does not let go.

A memory of love, the
imprint of relationship;
A face full of light, a book
of matches for the road;
the invitation to drop
shoulders, drop burdens,
to gaze upon the good
in the sanctuary space
of a universe shared and
filled with beings who hold 
each other in orbital embrace,
bound by atom, Word, and stardust.

Bound by a mercy that lasts; a forgiveness
that renews; a love that accompanies; a hope
abiding, ever and always, durably abiding.

—,Kimberly M. King—