by Mark Weinrich

With all the slippery places
it is easy to lose heart,
one step forward and
two back, floundering in
shifting sands and miry clay

These tedious treks
are designed for pulling
down and holding back,
convincing struggling souls
there are no footholds
in this world. Life is just
a pungent bog of grief.

I have been sold
there is no power in
looking up, no rock
to raise me.

Like David I lift my eyes
to the hills and mountains
shimmering with God’s
invitation. And step by
grace-filled step, I rise above 
the wasteland of my unbelief.

Mark Weinrich lives a creative life as a writer, photographer, musician, and artist—all wrapped together in an outdoorsman. He is a retired pastor and nine-year cancer survivor. His writing and photography have appeared in over 130 news stand, inspirational, and literary publications. He has sold eight children’s books and currently has two fantasy novels on Kindle.