The bucket

It comes on like a leaking pipe at first,
in drops to fill a bucket made of doubt,
and, as pipes do, eventually it bursts
and faith comes pouring, flooding down and out.
The fullness brings its joy, and after, fear,
for now the life you had before is gone
and all that you believed was just a smear
upon the glass of truth. But now the dawn
has come, its light creeping across the world
and with it warmth and comfort in the sight
of all that lies beneath His flag unfurled.
Of course, the timid soul is filled with fright,
of course, the doubting mind will wander still
but now the chance exists; your hopes fulfilled.

John Rutherford is a poet and writer living in Beaumont, TX. He has worked in the Department of English and Modern Languages at Lamar University since 2018, and, in 2026, will complete an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of St. Thomas(Houston).