Praise

First drop down deep to
the bottoms of the lungs
then catapult skyward banners
of flashy fleshy noise
because glory to God
and heavenly hallelujahs
come in only one color -- bright.
Clap, clapping hands
to wake those nearly dead
feet moving, swinging, swaying
until clickety clack
all the dry bones are
full of the spirit and
up up with the hands
and smiles and tongues
and oh my God, praise.

Angela Struyk is from Sioux Center, Iowa and was publishing staff assistant in Sojourners Internship Program when this article appeared.