Lectionary 11
Mark 4. 26-34 
parables of the kingdom

mustard parable
by Harvey S. Mozolak

the mouths of nestlings
open amid the butter-leafed flowers
green leaves and mustard seed pods
flecked with fruit
for the hands of a harvester
gathering a bag of tiny gold pearls
to string within the soil
shrubs carefully picked
dried and ground in handfuls
mulled in a small gold jar to smear
tart vinegar into taste
seasoning
the stories for the mealmaker
creating greater hunger
entire tables of the stem-hewn

the stalk, the head, the grain and the birds of the air
by Harvey S. Mozolak

a growing world
draped and carpeted in green
so thick we shape it
into walls and shelves
saw wide floors
and nail a roof in place
to keep the heavens out

this growing kingdom
a body forsaken
of its limbs
on pale lumber stripped
maned by blood
and nailed in place
to keep the earth within

a small bird
sparrow-like
chases a hawk
across the sky
and away from the bush
where her hope
is altared
shelled in fragile faith
as the shade and seed
of as yet
unseen flight
to keep the growing God
of heaven and earth
aloft and alight
upon our nesting place