Do You Believe This?

(To Andrew Joseph, May 5, 2013)

A quiet yes
        with a firm nod
                to the congregation,

more an act than a word
        but clearly voiced
                without hesitation,

the culmination
        of a long course
                but the first step

of dedication
        to walk with those
                who are with God

in a conversation
        going both ways
                forever more—

        Do you believe this?

When you were chosen
        to be part of
                this celebration,

we raised you up
        as a young child
                without expectation,

with an education
        that was never a test
                or an overload

of indoctrination,
        and to this day
                you are only asked

for an appreciation
        of what you’ve been given
                since you were born.

        Do you believe this?

The breath of God
        is in you now
                and the inspiration

that moves your soul
        is the same moment
                and animation

of all creation:
        the source, the wind,
                the spoken word,

and the transformation
        of Eden’s mud
                to Adam's blood

and deportation
        is your claim too,
                but there is more,

        and you believe this

with a quiet nod
        and a firm yes
                to the congregation,

a yes that says you
        will never die,
                an exclamation

with the jubilation
        of Martha seeing
                Lazarus

and the revelation
        to Nicodemus
                in the night

and the confirmation
        that you are born
                a child of God

        and you believe this!