Wring the Changes

I have known the breathless feeling of a sponge that has been wrung
thoroughly and roughly above my life’s chipped sink,
squeezed to the point of tearing by the chapped hands of God
until my shape was nothing. Until I could not think.

I have known the way one squishes at the crushing of one’s foam,
have felt the curious balling of a thing without a spine.
But all of it led to a hope I do not hold alone:
that when my water’s all pressed out, I might soak in his wine.


Paul J Pastor

Paul J. Pastor is author of several books, most recently Bower Lodge: Poems (Fernwood Press). He serves as a senior editor for HarperCollins, and contributing poetry editor for Ekstasis magazine. He lives in Oregon.


'Wring the Changes' have 2 comments

  1. March 17, 2023 @ 10:16 am Justin Clemente

    Phew, that last line though.

    “But all of it led to a hope I do not hold alone:
    that when my water’s all pressed out, I might soak in his wine.”

    Reminds me of Exodus 17:1-7, which I just preached from last Sunday.

    Reply

  2. March 17, 2023 @ 7:57 pm Cynthia Erlandson

    A well-wrought poem: the rhythm, the imagery, and the way the extended metaphor is carried through, all lead to a meaningful and memorable thought.

    Reply


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