"Odd Little Kingdom"

A poem by Annie Lighthart

Desert times of scarcity and hardship can bring temptations that draw us into understandable fear, anxiety, greed, depression, or even anger. But the desert can also be a crucible in which we are drawn deeper into an unseen but enduring Life and Presence, what we might call the Kingdom of God among us and within us.

After reflecting on these things, Annie Lighthart shared with me a poem that she wrote years ago. It grew out of such a desert time in her young family’s life. So much was uncertain or even scary, with a four-year-old and a child on the way, uncertain employment, scarce resources, and terrifying medical concerns.

But, Annie reflects, “we had each other, we had our little boy and the baby snugged inside me. We felt other people’s needs so keenly…. And what I most remember is so simple - the presence of a clarity, the clarity of a presence.”

Although she has not yet included this poem in one of her published volumes, she gave me permission to share it with you here. Thank you, Annie.

Odd Little Kingdom
 
In that hard year when nothing was certain 
and no work to be found, 
 
we held little but the baby and time.   
Sound grew louder, as did thought.  
 
Rain refused to stay out.  
Then something came 
 
and entered our door.  
It was not a person, 
 
but what we yet sensed 
as a You.
  
I do not mean to be vague: 
it was a certain clarity of light
 
that swept the bare floors, it was warmth 
like a hand on the head.  
 
It did not speak
but was spoken.
 
An odd little kingdom came into being.
How can I tell it?
 
Love ran barefoot all through the city.
When we met poor strangers, we saw them.
We gave them all that we had.

~ A.L.