To God and the Ravens

Photo by Rhianna Maguire on Unsplash

A Poem by Kristine Amundrud

Through the pasture,

Into the peaceful grove I ran,

Knocking down stoic idols

Of perfection, trapped in

Hoar frost. Fighting for

Breath between wails of lament,

To the mangled branches that match

My spirit, I ran. For they will not 

Judge the inner landscape.

To God and the ravens,

I offer my flesh, the inner 

Crevices of a heart, in exchange

For bread and meat.

Look to the tree that was felled.

Peel back the layers of disbelief

Until your fingers bleed, until

You uncover cambium–green,

Moist and alive.

Hope deferred made your heart sick,

But God provides a brook for the

Drought. In the dry disfigured place

You find yourself, come and drink.

Kristine Amundrud is a poet of faith from Alberta, Canada, who enjoys exquisite views of the majestic Canadian Rockies. Her family will soon call Northland, New Zealand home. She finds joy in dreaming alongside her husband, and their three children. Inspired by nature and story work, Kristine endeavors to stir up emotion in the reader. She is a Pushcart Prize Nominee for her poem, Anemone Blue.

You can read more of her work at:

Website: www.kristineamundrud.substack.com

Instagram: @kamundrud