by Lisa Epp

from my mother, I learned the joy
of being smiled over
and so I came to meet God 

from my neighbour, I learned the comfort
that resides in hospitality 
and so I came to meet God 

from my teachers, I learned of the growth 
that comes with time
and so I came to meet God 

from my students, I learned the changing power 
of my own belief 
and so I came to meet God 

from my mentor, I learned the infinite value
of bearing with another 
and so I came to meet God 

from my garden, I learned of hope
that sprouts from deep, dark places
and so I came to meet God 

from the robins, I learned the song of spring
that resurrects after winter’s clutch
and so I came to meet God 

from the silence, I learned what remains
when all else is removed
and so I came to meet God 

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Lisa Epp is an emerging Canadian poet whose work has been published in the Capital City Press Anthology (Volume IV) and who has performed works aloud at Sounds from the Valley. When she is not writing, she can usually be found enjoying time with her family and junior high school students in Edmonton, Alberta.