Cup of Tremble

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There was no money
in the house so we
Indian kids hiked
down to Tshimakain
Creek and panned for gold.
Gold had never been
found in Tshimakain
Creek but we rez kids
were still bold enough
to dig our pots, spoons,
pans, and cups into
the creek bottom then
rise and shake and shake
our containers
and pray that we’d find
gold in the gravel
and sand. Those prayers were
never answered. But
doesn’t faith depend
on unanswered prayers?
I’m not sure, not sure,
but maybe you should
fear shepherds and flocks
who claim to know God
by God’s secret name.
Maybe you should ignore
the holy ones who
mock questions and doubts.
Maybe you should dive
into the water
then arise and shake
yourself til you find
a plain stone. Maybe
faith should be more grey
than golden. Maybe
prayers should be more
modest. Maybe birth
and death should be the
only promises.