Poetry
~
Reflections From Life Itself

 

Our Yetebon Cup

 

I accompanied a group from Menlo Church to Ethiopia in 2006 and found that a trip with this much emotional impact lends itself to many forms of expression and remembrance.

One, for me, was poetry, and three poems were the result.

This third poem in this group of three was begun after my arrival back at our tukul (our house) at Project Mercy in Yetebon, following the very first day of our mobile clinics.

The emotions of this breathtaking day in the little nearby village of Ensena had to be captured, so to be savored again and again in the future lest my memory fail me.

It was not completed until several more days of clinic had passed, each reinforcing the message of the previous day, a message of God's peace amidst brokenness, God's love bringing light to all, and the easy mingling and unity of our western selves with these beautiful people from this culture which in many ways is as far removed from ours as the east is from the west.

Our Yetebon Cup

Towering clouds reflect
The setting sun's glory
As we return to camp,
Bones tired, hearts overflowing,
Minds racing;
We sift stories heard,
Timeless stories brimming with life,
Indelible images these
Which fill our cup of tears
As east and west collide
In hope and love;
Heaven descends — triumphant —
Moment upon moment,
Hearts connect,
The darkness becomes light,
Grace abounds,
And we see anew
The Suffering Servant's gift of peace.

Steve Belton
November 6, 2006
Yetebon, Ethiopia