Today, I went to church.

I stepped out into the garden

and the choir was already in full voice –

sparrows carrying the melody with soprano trills and leaps

to the jubilant chorus of a solo robin,

while the early morning gentle autumn sun

shone through the petals of a sunflower

like a stained-glass window.

A fat furry bee zig zagged past me

searching for its harvest of nectar

in the scarlet flowers of a runner bean plant.

In this church

the prayers are gratitude

the hymns are praise

and the lesson is peace.

And all the creatures exemplify the gifts and grace of God.

Amen.

L.M.D.