Rain soft gently ‘tings’ on a tin roof
under which contain ‘giggles’ sweet of friend’s children on tattered sofa playing ‘make me laugh’ with funny faces…

‘Mommy’ momentarily silent
as pain assails her stomach, while a friend serves rice and beans to all again about to take places at a wobbly table under which legs of youth, aged, men and women of varied stained skin colors and races say ‘grace’ and sing low praises together…

A fire in brick-faced fireplace crackles
as slapped, thighs, in laughter or others, in an undertone, cackle at stories familiar told of teenagers who’ve gone and become old. Of shyness overcome or boldness of courage as fired gold. Of sadness in death of loved ones
since all are enslaved to sin, sold

through genetics back centuries

to one created perfect
who became ungrateful, selfish.
Not thinking upon The One
who could ‘undo’ his wife’s disobedient naivety.

Teach her
loving subjection
is not an enemy…

He let emotions lead
when he ought not… Thoughtfulness
should have taken the ‘headship’ shot.
Then she and her family would not have to suffer the penalty that disobedience wrought.

Yes, back to dust, all their offspring,

but kept in ‘His’ heart and mind
those gone before to sleep in peace
for a brief time.

Then called again to earth refined.
Cleared of violence, wickedness, war, undercovered hidden landmines…

*

Everyone left before a sharp rap,
‘authorities’ banging on a wooden door
phoned for festivities or ‘gatherings’ forbidden
to explore
as just before the parties implored
their heavenly Father to keep them safe and secure, as outside their strong ‘faith’ now fortified

a world rocked in a dense darkness.
Not at peace. Their future… Unsure.

*

“Jesus said: “Truly I say to you, no one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news who will not get 100 times more now in this period of time—houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the coming system of things, everlasting life.” Mark 10:29, 30.