so that it may bear fruit

The words will not come
the well has run dry
the heart has turned to stone

no more days in prayer or
penitence
no more tears of joy

my life is a wasteland
a home without love
a love without home

a quiet burning desire unquenched
a fierce frustration eating
one from the inside out

tears away the golden days
until they are gone
and all that is left

is an ebbing hunger
a settling resentment
and a person who has turned
against everything

abandoned hope, peace, trust
patience, endurance, and prudence
for her own way

this way is easy,
yet her burdens are heavy
the bags are stuffed with
anger, fear, loss, pain and pride

The weight slows her steps until
it is clear that she isn't walking
forward
but being pulled back
by the weight of her load

She is found stranded in the desert place
lost, bewildered and confused
by a love that understands
and yet chooses to forgive

Her walk is no longer easy
yet she trusts the one who has
offered to carry her burdens
and Christ steadily softens her embittered heart
so that it may bear fruit