a lament and longing

You formed us from dust
breathed Your own breath into clay
and whispered
“Have dominion”

To cultivate
     (not crush)
To hold
     (not hoard)

Yet we
restless with enough
reach for more
confusing image with equality
obedience with ownership

We trample the garden
in our race for crowns
turning plows to swords
and rivers to poison

We named the creatures
then forgot their names
We fenced the skies
then lit them with fire

O Lord of seed and soil
have we often traded stewardship
for selfishness
tenderness
for gain

Our dominion has become domination
and the earth groans
the forests retreat
the oceans choke
and children cry beneath bomb-lit skies

Still
You have not abandoned us

Even now
Your Spirit hovers
over the dark waters of our ruin
whispering again

Return
Tend
Heal
Love

Make our hands holy once more
Teach us the dominion of Christ
who rules through a crown of thorns
who reigns by laying down
His life