perhaps
it takes all of us
like countless trees creating a forest
to worship the Ineffable we all call Sacred
even the atheist
unknown even to him or herself
along with the indifferent mediocre lip server
everyone of whatever stripe and color
belongs in this circle of reverence
as trees belong to the earth
yet how much more this Great Mystery—
this Ineffable bends like a mothering willow
into our living and our worship
Sister Lou Ella Hickman, OVISS, has a master’s degree in theology from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and is a former teacher and librarian. She is a certified spiritual director as well as a poet and writer. Her poems have appeared in numerous magazines such as America, First Things, and Emmanuel as well as numerous anthologies. Her first book of poetry, she: robed and wordless was published in 2015 and her second book, writing the stars will be published in 0ctober, 2024. (Both by Press 53) Five poems from her first book were set to music by James Lee lll entitled "Chavah's Daughters Speak" and was performed in six major national concerts from 2021 to 2024.
Amethyst Review 