I stand alone as the angel

I stand alone.

Alone as the angel

Gives me as task

Of costly obedience

Which my love for God

Will not make any easier.

I stand alone.

Swaying as the first waves,

Contractions

heralding greater agony to come

Wash over my exhausted body,

Spent already

From the journey.

I stand alone.

Joseph’s encouragement

Somehow not touching my isolation:

As I comprehend

That this is a journey

I only can make.

I stand alone.

Seeing the kindness

In the old man’s eyes.

Hearing his words

That a sword would pierce my soul

And knowing

It already had.

Poem by Jeannie Kendall, reproduced with permission