Heart Posture Poem by Sharon Namwalizi

My hand was stretched out in a busy street. I had just given away my last coin, and a man claiming to be God said to me,

"Why do you do that? "

I played dumb, and I said, "What—what do you mean? "

He responds with such care in his eyes,

"Pour from an empty cup."

"Do you say this because I gave the last that I had? "

He says, "Don't get me wrong. What you do can be seen to be good."

He paused, then gently held my hand.
"You have lost heart."

I felt my stomach drop.
"But I do all these things. I help so many people. I see some smile and happy, " I said, almost defending myself.

"You do, " he agreed.

"It has become like routine to you, and sometimes you are not even present. I didn't want you to be a zombie doing what you think is my will. I need to feel your heart beat."

"But it used to make me happy, " I said, as I felt a sting in my eyes.

"Yes, you. It USE to."

This is what I was asking:
Why are you pouring from an empty cup?
It's like you know all the right words and things to do, and you carry out these things like something you only mastered, not lived.

I need you to be present with me in these vulnerable moments. You used to ask me questions, for confirmation. I don't want you to feel like you can't. I need you to trust me.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew the right spirit within me.

@sharonnamzi
7/9/26 — 21: 19