Holy Space


Not necessarily at Mecca
Egypt or Jerusalem
today's holy place
starts in my small room
where I kneel
in prayer and receive
the answer in my heart
of how to help
my brother
and go
directly to do it
converting any
and every place
into an ever-expanding
holy space.


“And He Did Cast Himself Into The Sea.” (John 21:7 KJV)



Dear Brother Peter,
after denying Jesus thrice
you could have felt all was lost
except your Master is the one
who rejoices in finding 
lost sheep, a piece of silver
and the prodigal son,
being the merciful Christ of all new beginnings
calling you without hesitation
to find His sheep and even His most vulnerable,
His lambs.

Let me be with you, Brother Peter
casting myself without pause into the sea
and swimming my stroke by thy stoke to the shore.
Others must come in the little ship
to bring in the catch of one hundred fifty-three 
but let me not hesitate to plunge, plunge without
fear into the Sea of Galilee.

I am good to swim the three hundred feet.
Let me share your burden, straining all
to bring in the miraculous catch.
Dear Brother Peter
and then leave you and your fellow disciples
to dine with your Lord, basking in his Light
while I slip away, not ready for this meeting
to visit the sick, imprisoned, the unwanted. 
Someday, Brother Peter, we will meet again
and I promise I will be ready then.
Please, wait for me. 

Biography

Michael Shoemaker is a poet, writer, and photographer. His writing has appeared in Ancient Paths Literary Journal, Last Leaves Literary Magazine, Front Porch Review, Littoral Magazine, Pure Slush, “Achievement-Lifespan, Vol. 8 Anthology” and elsewhere. He lives in Magna, Utah with his wife, and son where he enjoys looking out on the Great Salt Lake every day. He is looking forward to poems being published Poets’ Choice, “Poems That Express Nostalgia” Anthology and Poetry Pacific Anthology. Michael has been awarded a scholarship to participate in the Tilikum Christian Writer Residency in 2024.