SO

There are times when God
so proves Himself
that He bests
the daily masturbations of life

There are times when God
so makes Himself present
that His very presence fills you
like nothing else can

There are times when God
seems to select each song on your playlist
so you feel as if He is singing along

And He is

THE PAPA HOUSE

You wouldn't think that a carriage house
set back from the road
would draw so many wanderers in;
such an estate was designed
to be admired from afar:
the driveway long enough to intimidate
and KEEP strangers OUT

But its occupants' arms were far more pliant
than the folded stone arms of Tatiana;
with such a reach to draw in those
that needed a home:
a cup of coffee or a meal in the kitchen

And just as a garden nourishes a variety of plants,
this menagerie flowered with diversity--
from the domestic to the exotic--
and transplants flourished beside native species

The cross-pollenation fed souls while laughter lightened loads
and the warm conversation intermingled with the smell of spices
and pancakes
and the smoke of a hookah pipe