Salt
You are the salt of the earth. —Matthew 5:13
A grain of salt is too tiny
to be of use, but when joined
with other grains
an energy compounds,
a sharpness emerges.
Even so, salt doesn’t
draw attention to itself.
Sprinkled or poured out,
the focus shifts to the object
of its intention—the roast,
the potatoes and carrots,
even the chocolate cake.
No one relaxes after a good meal
and says, Wasn’t that salt delicious!
I am a hidden ingredient
for making this world
a sensually marvelous place.
Light
You are the light of the world. —Matthew 5:14
A particle or part of a wave,
my identity is confusing
even to myself.
It's weird being invisible.
You may not see me
but by me you see everything else.
The redwood tree across the street,
the one with a chunk cut out
so the telephone lines pass through.
The telephone lines.
The birds that perch on top.
Your neighbor’s smile.
The broken glass on the sidewalk.
The path ahead.
Whether you know it or not
you owe your awareness
of all of this
to me and my companions.
We light up the world.
No Rats in Heaven
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin
do not destroy—. —Matthew 6:20
No rats in heaven.
Jesus said so.
That means no nasty diseases,
no rat poop on the floor,
no government condemnation of your property,
and plenty of space to store your heavenly treasures.
Healthy Eyes
If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
—Matthew 6:22
It's not cataract removal surgery or new glasses
that will do the trick.
What I really need is a tree,
at least one tree a day
and not through a window
but out in the air, close enough
to touch bark, hear leaves rustle,
smell resin, and fill my eyes
until tears wash them whole again.
Medicine for a healthy body and a holy soul.
Light coming through trees.
