It is one of the lines of the beatitudes that gets repeated so much we forget what it means.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Wow, that sounds serious. We can just imagine what it feels like to strive for righteousness, to be that clean, pure, self-contained person, maybe sitting in their toga and insisting that everyone just try to do better, with a serene patience.

But see, that is where we lost the metaphor. Because have you ever been hungry? Really hungry? Maybe I haven't been, but I have certainly been hambre enough times. And also really thirsty. It doesn't take too long to be really thirsty. And you know what hunger does to you? Even mild anger? It makes you mad and irritable and impatient and really really wishing that dumb shit would stop happening right now so you can get things done.

So what if Jesus wasn't speaking of a high-flown metaphor

Around here,  we know about  The Dark 

five long nights toward the middle of January

hours when its not safe for anyone- anywhere

Shadows disappear, then jump out at folks

porch swings fly into picture windows without a breeze 

trees limbs grow teeth 

Random car accidents- one driver missing 

pets that disappear and older folks who walk away,

If the doorbell rings or you hear someone knock

and a long white box lies next to the paper

if you slip off the ribbon and take off the top

if the roses inside