Even if the hawk kills

colorful songbirds in our yard,
I praise You for the birds of prey,
who lift us as they soar
majestically.

And even if the coral snake
hides poison beneath our shed,
I praise You for designing such
flamboyant
bands of beauty.

And if the bougainvillea stabs
us with long thorns, I praise You
for reminders of Your crown
and the beautiful red flowers
bleeding on our lawn.

by Mary Harwell Sayler, © 2016

…