If Microbiome is Life

If life really is like sourdough

If the rain gathers in silver streaks on the hosta leaves

If this granite patio holds steady like rock under my feet

Then why is there strife?

If yeast permeates the air and flour grows on a stalk

If water bubbles up from the ground

And mixing them together brings me bread

Why can’t I get it right?

If words are flung and cortisol floods

If thunder cracks and foundations rock

If my shoulders rise and leak out my eyes

Where on earth is the Light?

It’s all around you

In all I made

No excuses, no need to be afraid

I am for you

I am with you

Remember the tomb is where I laid.

Lay it down

Wait on Me

I will lead you

To your death.

Die in me and you’ll find life

You’ll have new eyes

My Spirit in you

Come with me

There’s never life without sacrifice

Death in life

Hope in torment

Spring births after winter

Come and rest.

Just like dough, right?

Measure flour, mix the water

Let it rest

Then fold and pound it

Sometimes I’m confounded by what grows, how you did this

How tomatoes green to red in this sun and so often I’m

Impatient

Want it now

But fermenting takes a long time

Through a dark night then the rising

And the oven of affliction

The development of crust around the tender, flexing gluten.

You’re not hurried,

Let the process do the rending

Tear the dough, the kneading’s mending

All around me you’re creating

Things expanding, stars are singing

Help me yield and trust Your tending

You are good, forgive my doubting.