a voice in the darkness

By Emma McCoy

---

(Samuel and his visions)

Listen! Here, in the dark,
someone calling your name.
Not the old prophet, sleeping
heavy, nor his sons who
sleep dreamless every night.
Look! There, on the inner steps
of the temple, a woman praying
and pleading with God.
Her whispers float over cold
marble and you shift
your child’s feet. Familiar?
Perhaps, like a dream
that comes once a year.
You blink once and she’s gone,
quiet like the name 
just outside your reach.
Wait! Someone else must be here
in shadowed corridors and empty
nighttime splendor
for you can feel it
as close as your next breath.

Now, in those days there
were no frequent visions

but the dark seems less scary
and you can see the faith
the future holds, with oil
and pride and pastures.
This must be what your mother
prayed over you when she
dropped you off on the temple
steps, blessing personified.
You, child, are love embodied,
proof of a warm and living God
who spins dreams. You see
His mysteries this night, and every night,
walking past prophets and sons,
feet cold on marble head
light and full of promise.
Breathe, Kingmaker, and 
fall asleep to the sound of
your name whispered with love.

---

Emma McCoy is a literature student at Point Loma Nazarene University, California. Much of her poetry explores biblical narratives through re-imagination, closed forms and a close look at the structures and imagery of the original stories. When she's not writing, she spends her time outdoors chasing the downhill -- either skiing or mountain-biking.

Emma's other poems on Foreshadow:
- the third movement of Genesis (January 2021)
- To Cross the Jordan (June 2021)