As the pandemic continues my friend Cheryl McCarthy leads a night watch prayer during the midnight hour. She is the director of Ananias Project, a prayer ministry for Fresh Expressions US.

After last night’s prayer call, I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about my friends in the medical profession and how even now the crisis seems to have no end, despite hope rising. This free verse poem poured out. Afterward, I found rest.

This is for all those who serve unimaginably long hours to care for us. We still see you.

face covered
eyes heavy
hands tired
feet steady
  and the sun stands still

heart weary
mind races
courage lingers
more cases
  and the sun stands still

one lives
another dies
system broken
justice cries
  and the sun stands still

shift change
worn down
body aches
rest now
  but the sun stands still