The River, Grace Poem by Lee Ann Schaffer

Lift me up,
Take me down
From my rack.
Suspended on meat hooks
Just under my shoulder blades,
The weight of me hangs.

The river comes to me.
The river flows on.

Grace wakes up,
Says, “I will watch with you
We will be watchers
Together.”

Take me down.
Let the river run
Through my wounds;
Cleanse;
Heal.

The river comes.
The river flows.

Wash out all the refuse;
Toxic trash flushed away
Forever from me
Clear
Free

The river comes.
The river flows.

Fill me up with goodness.
Purity, rush into these holes;
Saturate in light, then
Stop up the access,
Make me whole.

River, come to me.
River, flow on.

And the river is God’s Gift.
And the river is Grace.
Lay me new baptized
In the tall grass
On the bank
Let me hear
Talking light
Beat back the night.

They sing of your source,
Your redemption renowned.
Now I join the chorus.

And the river, God’s gift,
Lift me up.
And the river, Grace
Carry me on.