Bookends.

I had this on my heart the morning I left the States 8 1/2 months ago. I awoke early from a unlikely restful slumber on the love seat of my friend Lucy's Los Angeles apartment, and scribbled this like an exhale, as if I'd memorized it in a dreamscape conversation with God himself. It remains one of my favourite pieces.

Dear Church,
You do not own God.

Dear Islam,
You do not own God.

Dear Hinduism,
You do not own God.

Dear Judaism,
You do not own God.

Dear Science,
You do not own God.

Dear Philosophy,
You do not own God.

Dear Atheism,
You do not own God.

Dear Reason,
You do not own God.

Dear Law,
You do not own God.

Dear Learnedness,
You do not own God.

Dear Simplicity,
You do not own God.

Dear Commerce,
You do not own God.

Dear Service,
You do not own God.

Dear Vengeance,
You do not own God.

Dear Hate,
You do not own God.

Dear Love,
You do not own God.

Dear Existence,
You do not own God.

Dear Life & Death,
You do not own God.

Dear Heaven & Hell,
You do not own God.

Dear Truth,
You do not own God.

What thing for which man has a name
Could be vast enough to contain
The one who stood 'for everything
Who spake the sun to shine in flame
Who spake pure life from dust & rain
Spake dust & rain from stars he's slain
Who groans in planetary strain
Who whispers throughout everything
From whom all truth originates
Whose wisdom gifts, withholds, creates,
Whose divine nature permeates,
Whom minds of men his breath negates

This is the one I yearn for
This is the one I seek
This is the one who holds me up
When hope is lost and life is bleak

This is the one who wants me
This is the one who knows my bones
This is the one for whom I'd gladly
Scatter my ashes at his throne

This is the one for whom I wait
On bended knee in quiet place
And make a space for him to fill
For here he is and fill he will

He vibrates in my atoms
He trickles in my veins
He made the tongue that speaks
So let it say no other name
And if it should fall silent
Should it be still and rest today
Let ring throughout eternity
That he will have his way

It seems that through the adventures, lessons, and trials, I've only been drawn more into this frame of mind. I thought this an appropriate time to share.

Just got back to Kansas City tonight, and I'm stoked for this season. Homeboy's been saying for a while now that he's just waiting through the open door, and these first few steps seem drenched in his presence.

See also: John 15:16 - "You did not choose me but I chose you, and I appointed you to go and bear fruit."