by Matthew J. Andrews

Preoccupation closes us
within the mighty citadel
of self, the struggles
and heartaches of the human
adventure. There are parts of us
that do not wish to submit
to a divine conversation,
to accept our brokenness.

God has revealed his presence
but never his essence. Transcendence 
conjoined with immanence.
Heaven balanced with earth. 
God’s distance complemented
by his nearness. We are made
for that which is too big
for us. To adore is to recognize
the nothingness of the adorer.

To be fully present is to pitch
a tent in the wilderness
of nowhere. The enormity
of ruthless trust is the courage 
to let ourselves be spoken.
I do not want to die
without having lived. Into your
hands I commit my spirit. 

Author’s Note: This poem was composed using only highlighted portions of a used copy of Brendan Manning’s “Ruthless Trust.”

Matthew J. Andrews is a private investigator and writer whose poetry has appeared or is forthcoming in EcoTheo Review, The Windhover, and Amethyst Review, among others. His debut chapbook, I Close My Eyes and I Almost Remember, is forthcoming from Finishing Line Press. He can be contacted at www.matthewjandrews.com