Joy Returns

by Lori Smith

JOY RETURNS

Even the weeds wear dresses —

delicate indigo or sun-yellow —

the dandelion its fuzzy crown.

Which is to say nothing of

bright clouds of azalea,

dripping bluebells,

dewy phlox,

sidewalks awash in cherry-petal snow,

and the luminous violet glow

of the redbud (never red),

tiny orchid buds bursting unbidden

from rough branches.

Joy returns

whether or not we are ready.

As if the One who holds us

has breathed on us again.

And in my aching heart,

a tiny shoot of spring green,

like the new grass

the dog loves to eat

on our twilight walk

under the pale pastel sky.

LORI SMITH

Lori Smith is a writer and Bible teacher who has lived with chronic illness for nearly 25 years. Her work focuses on helping Christians walk faithfully through pain. She lives in Northern Virginia with her golden retriever, Franny, her favorite walking and sunset-watching buddy. www.writerlorismith.com

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