During National Poetry Month’s 2020 “Poem a Day” challenge, the prompt for one day was to write a Haiku variant that consisted of three lines – with one, two, three words. “Vigil” was the result – something stark and simple, like standing outside the courthouse or detention center or state capitol and simply holding a sign or a candle.
Public witness. Prophetic witness. There’s a place for that in the movement.
This could be read by a single reader in a service. Or, it could be used simply as a sample, in a retreat where you have participants write on words like “Vigil” or “Movement” using this haiku variant.
Vigil Hold steady Light the flame against what would extinguish Creation’s light Planted firmly, definitively in love, hope For thoughts and prayers are not enough Vigil This means: Awaken, watch, work