A gold coin

A gold coin

You asked me to follow You.
Like Jonah, there were places I'd rather be.

The belly of a fish can be made comfortable
if the foreign shore holds enough dread --

darkness can be soothing to the eyes;
that constant stench can carry

the solace of familiarity.
You said, 'Get naked.'  When I didn't

shed my clothes quickly enough,
You took matters into Your own hands.

These days, I go about repeating Your name
like hammering nails into a coffin.

Make me a gold coin, Lord, glittering in the sunlight,
when You finally slit the fish's belly.

O child of God, the Beloved is pointing out,
with His graceful fingers, the land of milk and honey.

                         (from A Jewel in the Dust)