Walnuts, Blueberries, and Angry Christians

a poem

Photo by Syd Wachs on Unsplash

Walnuts, Blueberries, and Angry Christians

I can’t read another bitter book.
Please, spare me your angst over
the current state of evangelicalism
and try writing a poem instead.

At least, then, you will be forced to
step outside and notice that the birds
have returned from their winter away.

Maybe you’ll find space in your yard
to plant a blueberry bush this summer.
I recently found out that I can’t grow
blueberries beside my walnut tree.
Apparently, walnuts can sense any
competition for soil and release a
toxin meant to kill the berries before
they ever have a chance to blossom.

Even the plants are fighting.

But then, I stumble upon a
familiar but always strange verse:
For all creation eagerly waits
and I wonder if the bitter walnuts,
impossible blueberries, and angry
Christians are just lonely.

My toddler didn’t like preschool,
at least not the social aspect, until
one day, another student hugged her.
Now, she loves it. Now, she feels
welcomed in. One hug. I don’t know
who the kid was, but I want to buy
them a bicycle.

The old shall be made new if we
just wait. The stagnant will be replaced
with crashing rivers, the villains will be
muzzled like the lions in Daniel’s den.
Wounded bodies will become spiritual
homes, and who knows what that means,
but I know they won’t ache anymore.

If we just wait.

With patience for one another.
Patience for the birds to return,
the berries to blossom, the kids
to accept our kids, and the Church
to become one. Just write a poem.

You’ll feel better. I promise.

Even if it isn’t true, just yet.