There are pages in a book I am reading
Dog-eared. I don’t know why.
There is a photograph too.
People say it is amazing. Beautiful.
Spiritual. A Japanese print.
Joyous. The year is 2020.
May 1. Susan says we are skipping
Spring and running right into Summer.
The forecast is for increasing clouds.
A chance of afternoon showers.
A rumble of thunder.
In class this morning we learn
About the Balm of Gilead.
With patience, blossoms are sure to come.
I, too, am ready to blossom
In the garden of life.
A storm is on the horizon.
We open our hymnals and we sing:

There is a Balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole;
There is a Balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometimes I feel discouraged,
And think my work’s in vain.
But then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again.

Don’t ever feel discouraged,
for Jesus is your friend,
who, if you ask for knowledge,
will never fail to lend.

If you cannot preach like Peter,
if you cannot pray like Paul,
you can tell the love of Jesus,
who died to save us all.