Altars

Days roll ‘round

Once every year

Reminders of trials

Of judgment and fear

Markers of memories

Of bone deep pain

Of losses so great

Overshadowing gain

Sometimes the day

Marks a big question

So many years later

Claimed only suggestion

Other days conjure

A different feeling

One of victory, freedom

The beginning of healing

But all the days matter

Each one a rock

Stacked into place

Faith building blocks.

Sometimes a recipe calls for you to "reduce" a series of ingredients.  What they are wanting is for you to boil it down to the concentrate.  Or close to it.  They want you to get rid of the water and fluff, leaving just the essence.  That is how I tend to think of poetry. 

Tonight's reduction isn't hitting the spot with me though.  It's failing to fully capture my thoughts.  My heart.  This time of year has many markers for me.  Signposts.  Most are pretty darn painful.  And I think it's ok to stand in that pain for a minute and remember.

But then I think you have to look behind you and see where you've been.  And then look down and up and see where you are.  And then ahead to where you are going.  Appreciate how far you've come.  Feel what you feel right now.  Look forward.  And take a step in faith.