By Tony Pan '24
When I’m lost
I would stand here
watching
Cars driving at the intersection, turning
Left center right
Footballs flying over the turf, floating
Left center right
Grapes growing on the luscious vines, hanging there until they’re ripe
I don’t like driving
When to turn
to go
to stop.
How fast you move
When life is in your own hands
and so is your destination.
When each traffic light seems like a calling to turn
The luring puzzles of road lights and exit signs
I would stand there watching
people drive who knew their way
I don’t know football
When to run
to throw
to pass
I want to score the ball into the endzone
But what do I do now
A hundred yards away
The opposition running my way
I would stand there
Frozen in doubt.
Being a lone wolf will get you tackled.
I just want to be a grape
Sit and grow
Nothing to do except hang there
Helplessly just… ~there~
Connected to the vine
To the root
To the being that gives me sustenance
Sustenance that requires no payback
Free
A grape rooted in the vine
Doesn’t worry
The vine is the only way in which it grows
Sustained
Protected
Fed
For those that remain will bear much fruit (1)
A grape rooted in the vine
Doesn’t doubt
The vine will provide
What can a grape do
Like little children
Only knowing the unconditional love of mom and dad
Whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (2)
So I would stand here
Helpless
but satisfied
In the way and the truth and the life (3)
(1) John 15:5
(2) Matthew 18:4
(3) John 14:6
This piece is part of a series asking, “Who is God? And what is He like?”
This Fall, we invite you to tell us how you understand the character, nature, and identity of God through poetry, reflections, art, or more!
Illustration by Jocelyn Salim '23