Wednesday 11 January 2023

Theophanies

Macrina Wiederkehr

It was only a small wind
rather gentle, like a breeze.
It blew a strand of hair across my forehead
and I knew that it was God.

I was awakened by a tiny gleam of light
it slipped through my curtain, onto my face.
It drew me to my feet and on to the window
Drawing back the curtains
dawn stepped softly into my room.
I knew that it was God.

In the middle of my loneliness
the phone rang.
A voice I knew so well, said,
“Hello, I love you.”
Love stirred in my soul
I knew that it was God.

Rain fell gently on the thirsty ground.
Slowly, carefully, steadily it came
to an earth parched with waiting.
Through those holy raindrops
I walked, unafraid — without an umbrella.
I knew that it was God.

It was only a little bitterness I thought
but it wouldn’t leave my heart.
It hung around my soul for ages
until a storm came, violent and terrifying.
It shook me to the depths of my being
and blew all the bitterness away.
I knew that it was God.

It was only a Silver Maple
but in the morning’s sunlight
It was filled with heaven.
I stood in a trance
as one touched by angel wings.
I knew that it was God.