The Long Sleeve of God

For Ishi & Nicci via Lois & Geri

I can only do this

in a poem—take the invisible,

wrap it thick with words,

and see the shape it takes.

It turns into a sleeve

up which history reaches—

wrist to pit.

Whether or not God

wears sleeves,

He’s got tricks up there.

I get to believe

they are good ones.

I do.

I’ve seen Him pull friends

and destinies from that

fabric of heaven.

I’ve seen Him pull out

everything

from cups of coffee

to continents.

Now I trust for the tricks

I don’t even know

to wait for.

I do know to wait.

Up His long sleeve,

all the promises are “yes.”