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“God-With-Us”

—84 “God-With-Us” —after Jean Valentine What will I call you when you are gone? How will I know your name? Little star, reflection on the Sea of Galilee, a lantern in the wood, half-hid, half-seen? reflecting on what can’t be touched, be known? And the sheen of milk across the sky, the galaxy poured out like me, true sky, false dawn, and a young woman’s nipple, star of milk, star of a nursing child’s mouth, my child, my lord, whoever you may be today, tonight which will not end, a cup passed to me, from which I may or may not drink, half-empty star, still asleep by now? And your small body, Emmanuel, (how small my heart to fit inside yours) lies there, pearled, asleep . . . How I want to believe. (a pearl, an irritant). shepherd text-2.indd 84 11/22/10 2:07 PM shepherd text-2.indd 85 11/22/10 2:07 PM shepherd text-2.indd 86 11/22/10 2:07 PM ...