The Fourth Chamber, Part 2

Until our eyes accustom to the light

we wander puzzled, disconcerted, lost. 

We pray in expectation of delight

and find, instead of sunshine, cold and frost. 

Our sparrow minds flit here and there in quest

of some familiar branch on which to perch;

we seek some sign along the path to test

it truly leads to God for whom we search. 

The only test that counts is love: begin

with Jesus’ words: ‘You’ll know them by their fruits,’

for God sought us out first, and deep within

the seed grows secretly, and puts out shoots. 

And through this process, steady, silent, slow,

our hearts’ capacity to love will grow.