When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the child leaped in her womb.
―Luke 1.41
God, something in me leaps with joy
when I sense you near.
Something holy in me
dances at the sound of your voice.
Something in me rushes forward
as when sisters long apart reunite,
like lovers meeting.
I confess I ignore the leaping,
I suppress the dance,
I muffle the song.
Give me faith to leap,
to weep, to lean toward you.
Set me free to desire you near,
to delight in your presence,
to lose composure at your touch.
You who are coming,
give me faith to run to greet you.
—December 18, 2018