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Sanctuary

Middle Schooler refugees, barefoot and blue-jeaned,

Seeking sanctuary from a world too often mean.

I beckoned you to come, urging doors pushed wide.

Washing one another’s hands without a place to hide.

                        Whether you’re 12 or 45, life can be so hard

                        It can take a daring leap of faith to just let down your guard.

                        Though I trusted you to shine, I had no idea how far.

                        My heart had hoped for front porch lights –

                                    -- and you showed me shooting stars.

Holding water from the well within a silver bowl,

Gentle fingers drying hands are windows to your souls.

“Can I do the same for you?” one asks quietly.

Water trickling down my hands, you revealing me.

                        Whether you’re 12 or 45, life can be so hard

                        It can take a daring leap of faith to just let down your guard.

                        Though I trusted you to shine, I had no idea how far.

                        My heart had hoped for front porch lights –

                                    -- and you showed me shooting stars.

How can I ever hide in fear after seeing such brave love here?

                        Though I trusted we would shine, I had no idea how far.

                        My heart had hoped for front porch lights –

                                    -- and we became shooting stars, a galaxy of stars.

Gretchen Baker-Smith, October 2005