I’ve spent a lifetime 

bandaging my feet,

partly from ill-fitting 

shoes, traveling too 

many miles in a day, 

losing my way, making 

a wrong turn, or 

carrying too many 

burdens. Also, there are

the roads I’ve traveled 

long just to gaze upon

ancient stones, a rusted 

filigree, or become dizzy

with the scent of an 

old English rose. My Sender

declares my feet beautiful,

bruised and scarred as 

they are. I can hardly

take that in. When

finishing my course, I

long to be remembered 

for bowed knees, for

bowing in indentured

gratefulness, worshiping 

my Beloved, calling in

the harvest, falling

upon my face with joy

and tears mingled. Yes,

kneeling. It’s what 

empowers me to go,

and the best reason 

to stay.

Bonnie Saul Wilks