neighbhorhood hermes (a poem)

a small offering for your tuesday

Neighborhood Hermes

This morning while I took my son on a walk 
though our neighborhood; I saw a man in salmon pants
joyful and buoyant, waving at the bus as it slowed to a stop,
his white hair bounced up and down on a light breeze
while the bus driver braked, allowing him to make the connection.

From where I stood, I cheered him on
and in the quietness of my heart said to him,
“May your heels have wings and the road clear of potholes.
May your journey be restful and your destination welcoming.
Fly on the wind of gasoline fumes!”

This made me wonder how many strangers
whose paths I’ve crossed, silently, hoped for my best.
How many wrote narratives of my life
or passed judgment on me while I took a walk,
caught a bus, sipped a cocktail, shopped for oranges?

Perhaps they wished me ill or pictured me naked
or considered hitting me with their car for sport.
How many have seen the sunshine illuminate the back of my hair
and recognized me as a fellow saint?

How many have wished for me, wings?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13