It’s possible I’ve been living under a cloud for the past 10 years 

I still look at the altar and the cross but my persistence is quick to disappear 

Maybe this is the usual course 

And I’m not superstitious or even uber religious 

But I know humanity needs some other force 

Because like a heavy rain cloud

We’re all weighed down

Despite all the yoga sessions and full-on confessions 

We need a permanent fix 

As we traverse Babylon and work in Egypt 

Sometimes I think I’ll just leave it – as it is 

But I can’t escape something that draws 

Like the sun low on the horizon 

There’s hints of goodness as we’re all dyin’

So I ventured on a Tuesday night with my brother and husband 

To our friend’s new pizza shop opening on the strip 

“Friends and Family Night” was the name of it 

And as soon as I walked in there were old friends I hadn’t seen since I’d been under the cloud 

They embraced me and it was like the removal of a burial shroud 

My soul came alive 

We all ate pizza and didn’t have to strive 

One old friend had a look in his eyes 

And a tone in his voice

One of hope, gentleness, love, and joy

It wasn’t fake or cheesy 

It pulled me in easy

And he prayed for me 

Heaven was released 

Amidst the aroma of crust and pepperoni 

And I was loved, provided for, surrounded, no longer lonely 

Enveloped in mercy, like a calzone 

Another old friend shared much needed words of encouragement 

Life to my bones 

For my cells, nourishment

Another dished words of wisdom 

She spoke softly and imparted a vision 

My faith was stirred 

At the sound of my old friends’ words 

I left full but light 

Thinking maybe the world will be alright

As long as there’s a few out there still holding on to hope 

Activating faith, praying

On the way home I found I could cope 

I found myself believing 

Even my husband and brother were gleaming 

And I think not just from the pizza 

Jesus said to love one another 

Love, I thought, is more than a cover 

It’s pizza, it’s words, it’s prayer 

Maybe it’s as simple as being there 

I find myself back where I left 

Never bereft 

Believin’

Still in Babylon

But catching glimpses of Eden