HOPE GROWING

Hope Growing,
silently, secretly,
like a child in the womb, fluttering;
putting out soft fingers,
hope, stretching, stirring.

Hope growing,
silently, secretly,
daring to breathe again
as footsteps recede
and danger retreats,
hope, stretching, stirring.

Hope growing,
silently, secretly
swelling, burgeoning, bursting
until the flower opens
the child is crowned,
the prisoner is released
and hope is born.

God of all hopefulness
for seeds of silent growth
and secret expectation,
we thank you.
Bring hope to birth in us; release us;
that we may worship
in freedom and joy.