yesterday, i met a former gangster,

who had left behind his erstwhile ways

and i asked what had supported

him the most, allowing this to happen.

 

he glanced up, pointed to the sky,

“i met my sister’s God,” he said.

and his face glowed with light internal

as he spoke of fresh paths

 

forged from the fires of experience

but altogether new. having lived as  

powerful thug, until scooped out,

empty and hopeless within

 

he discovered that what he really

required was not power–but grace

 

merely grace, this

 

more powerful than he had ever imagined.

then, “i am still a work in progress.” i nodded,

“aren’t we all in need of a shepherd?” and

as we parted ways i wondered of this

 

sister, who had lived quiet, faithful and

i would like to discover her story as well,

because there is always another story

laid beneath, linked to generations past

 

layer upon layer, voice upon voice.

and i know that being a listener of

stories, is a day and life well spent.

 

Heather Pound 2023

Photo by Danny Lines on Unsplash