When He Was With Us, Bradford Skow (December 2025)

 When He Was With Us

When he was with us, we would stumble, we were 

As children in our errors. But he would guide 

Us right, his bit and bridle were a comfort,  

And his pale hands were gentle on the reins. 

The day then came when he was taken up. 

We implored, when will you restore your family? 

The tremors in our limbs will thwart your purpose. 

Already our hearts yearn for your reunion. 

He said the time was not for us to know. 

Then darkness fell. Blind now, as everyone 

Is blind, we hold each other close, and see 

Shadows cast, as if from invisible 

Light, high above. We share with strangers what 

We can. The gnawing absence grinds its teeth.