The name of God

what a struggle we have
with your name, God.
 
for some,
it's a dry and dusty word,
better suited
for the grave of history.
 
for others,
it is caught on the tip
of our tongues,
     and just can't seem
     to escape our lips.
 
for many,
it is more a word
we use in anger,
or frustration,
or pain.
 
take this crumbling,
cracking word,
renew it,
refresh it,
reshape it
into that Living Word
that reminds us
you are always with us
     as you have been before we could speak. 
Amen.
 
(c) 2004 Thom M. Shuman