Turbulent Times God takes up lots of space on the plane, insists on having the window seat. I slide over to make room. Moments before unrestrained objects begin to shift, the pilot announces we are heading into turbulence. I reach over to hold God’s hand but God is busy, conducting a symphony of birds drunk on sky. If my faith were pushier, I’d brush my fingertips against the hem of God’s cloak. Instead, I sulk and get dizzy watching God out of the corner of my eye devouring pretzels. Will I give up this easily? Why not interrupt and say something? Then the plane pitches and yaws, an orange rolls down the aisle. Still busy with birds, God looks unperturbed and yawns. I see a tree inside God’s mouth and hanging from a branch, a swing. It would be brazen to say it was waiting for me, but it was.
Jennifer Clark is the author of a children’s book and three full-length poetry collections, most recently A Beginner’s Guide to Heaven (Unsolicited Press). She has a hybrid collection, Kissing the World Goodbye, forthcoming from Unsolicited Press in 2022. She lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her website is jenniferclarkkzoo.com.
Amethyst Review 