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Jody L. Collins's avatar

Oh my, that last line, "call the place Church, to remember what I saw." Wow.

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Mischa Willett's avatar

Thanks, Jody. (tbh, the poem was 'written' for two years before I found a way to end it. I had everything except that final couplet and a line from the dream bit)--I've been thinking recently about church as a place (Here I raise my Ebenezer) we go not only to remember, but to memorialize the grace we've been shown.

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Jody L. Collins's avatar

oh my word (literally)... what a process of poem-ing. You encourage me in my own pondering. And the theme--church as a place to remember God's grace. Yes!

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Emily Ambrose's avatar

I love this. “Bringing” the church into the world and recognizing the church that has always been found there.

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Mischa Willett's avatar

Amen 🙏

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Sierra Westerholm's avatar

I actually LOVE this. I can't even fully tell you why... i think it gives just such a fresh perspective, but in a way that's so much better than the cliche "fresh perspective".

And I love how the line of each section ends, complete, but then to pick up seamlessly and yet independently in the next thought.

Great job!

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Sarah Spradlin's avatar

Such a beautifully human retelling — I loved all the little details like the socks and log plops of the camels’ legs. Well done!

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Mischa Willett's avatar

Thanks so much, Sarah. When I was working on this, I lived in Flagstaff teaching at NAU; I'd hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim every few months, so I was thinking *a lot* about walking/hiking. It helped me imagine my way into this story.

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Keith and Bev's avatar

Such an event - for all Jews. Draws you right in.

Bev Anderson

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