Invitation

By Sheila Dougal​

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Said the Pilgrim to her friend, 
“Let's go home!”
He looks at her blank
He doesn’t understand
The language she speaks

She points and signs,
But his wrinkled brow 
Remains inclined 

Said the Exile to the colonized,
“Let's wander on home!”
She’s looking for kin
Longing for another 
Who knows this tongue.
She’s young in the language
Her Brother taught:
Love means reaching
Truth and grace make a complete thought

Said the Sojourner to the resident, 
“Let's gather at home!”
She’s looking for a companion
To walk this thorn-covered road
Neglected by those who have abandoned it

Our mother, wayward as she was,
Told us the way.
Ammi to her husband,
She nursed us in faith

Asked the Wanderer of the lost, 
“Do you know the way home?
Will you walk with me?
We’ll go the way where free means
You can bend your knee.”

Asked the Redeemed of the bound,
“Do you want to go home?”
Won’t you walk with me?
There’s a way where high is low
And lost is searched for till found

Come home with me, friend
I’ll motion and sign
I’ll walk slow, and if you need to stop,
I’ll take the time

Come home with me, friend
I know you’ll see 
The goodness of walking this road
With me

And when we get home 
The air will be sweet 
The land I’ve heard is vast
Our Brother we’ll meet

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Sheila Dougal lives in the low deserts of Arizona with her husband and sons. Some of her poetry and essays are published at Fathom Mag, Clayjar Review, The Gospel Coalition, The Joyful Life Magazine and other publications. You can also find her at her blog, Cultivating Faithfulness, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Sheila's other work on Foreshadow:
Descent (Poetry, June 2023)
Ode to the Day (Poetry, July 2023)