I believe in the Holy Spirit.

A Gentle Wind

Even if Christianity
had never thrown before us
that peace-loving bird
that angry flame
that fierce wind
to consume completely
the harm we always do,
even then I would hold
this strong breath of mystery
as close as my skin,
as warm as my blood,
for this spirit supplies
the knowledge we need
to tidy up our mess
and leave it not nearly
so shallow in kindness.
I find myself powerless
to become beneficial.
Sometimes I look back
on what has been done
and wonder with gratitude,
Who did that?

[The Covenant Journal, Number 26, September 2007 All poetry in this issue is by Robert Cogswell.]