emmanuel is one that comes to mind

i do not know what to call the god i pray to—

only that the names i’ve given them have made them too small—

but when i see your face, i see the face of god

who i cannot call god, but it is in the eyes, i think

this week alone

i have scrolled through too many

faces-of-god-that-met-god-too-soon

and i am wondering where to send my prayers

if they keep taking you from us

so, i am asking god-with-us

to stay with us

i am asking god-with-us

to stay with us