Editor’s note: This poem is part of the Work and Hope series.

To say grace over the swelling seed
To tie a knot between the root and leaf
To spy on snow pea tending her rowdy brood
To gossip with the earthworm, and the ant
To share a tithe with the rabbit, and the deer
To stretch a tendon into ache and burn
To water a barren acre of thought
To hoe a weedy patch of soul
To dig your way out of the fever dream
To search for your lost dead
To touch the dusty sandal of the Lord