For Rev. Nicole Garcia
Preaching the message mighty
as the sermon on the mount,
you save us from fear
of brimstone, sin,
the hypocrite
with the plank in his eye.
You, the peacemaker
at the pulpit poised
in your Lutheran collar
and glory teach mercy
to the crowd
of allies, atheists
and bodies battered by Bibles,
state legislatures, wolves
claiming sheep clothing.
You, the Trans prophetess
gazing over the sea
of queer radiance
pour out
salt and light,
exhaling
the breath of life,
you speak the good news
since the beginning of time:
If you want to see the image
of God, look in the mirror.
Poem copyright ©2024 by Claire Coenen, from The Beautiful Keeps Breathing
Claire Coenen is a poet, author, and teacher with a passion for sharing the renewing and liberating powers of creative writing with her community. Her first collection of poems, The Beautiful Keeps Breathing (Kelsay Books, 2024), explores themes of delight, loss, and spiritual integration. Claire offers mentorships, workshops, and retreats focused on writing as healing and soul-centered practice. As a registered yoga instructor and SoulCollage® facilitator, Claire integrates her understanding of the body’s wisdom and the artistic imagination into all of her offerings. A lifelong learner, Claire earned a Master of Education & Master of Theological Studies from Vanderbilt University and received her Master of Social Work from The University of Tennessee. She loves living in Nashville, TN with her husband Davey and dog named Lion.
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