Poem August 17, 1987 Issue

"Am I my brother's keeper?" Genesis 4:9

Dorothy P. Seagren

No and yes . . .

No! I am not a keeper,
a sweeper in of mistaken mortal theories
with their gamut of psychological causes
about yesterday's fears, faux pas, and frustrations.
I refuse to let anything
enter into my haven
of absolute conviction
of pure perfection about man (individually or collectively).
Any action that would try to force me
to solidify a past or that could support
even justifiable disappointment
is not allowed.

Yes! I am my brother's keeper
because I am keeping him
in the holy place of prayer
where affirmation transforms wishful-wistful-fretful
thinking into
rejoicing with God!

As I go to God and ask Him how He made each one,
He tells me how He is gently and firmly
keeping and holding
this family in His tender might.

I listen.

Then, in the sanctuary of quiet stillness and obedient surrender,
I lose the conceit of preconceived impressions, and
I hear God shouting for joy at His creation,
and so do I.

Dorothy P. Seagren

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