In His Pavilion

Jewel Shares the Psalms

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:
in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
he shall set me up upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5


Thirty years ago I met her.
Coltish and cool, with a certain
agitation always propelling.
Scanning any crowd,
instantly identifying
both broken heart and broken soul.

Midnight or morning whisperings
revealed pain and personal recipe for remedy;
laying bare was her habit.
I watched her cycle through the crash, burn,
and cauterization of too intense, too loving,
too much.

Her hands always in flight, eyes flashing,
laughter quick, fumbling through
belief and dream trying to find a walk
that met her desire, faith and zeal.
She lived and breathed close integration
of intent.

Tempered through the decades,
a certain softening had settled into her edges
but ever friend, confidant, defender and servant.
Not one to keep anything for herself, "Imagine this,"
she said, "the promised pavilion. That's where I go.
I leave the door open for you."


C.M. Carroll