Coming of Age

By Andrew R. Duckworth

We were invincible back then,
Back when war was a world away
And we knew not of storm,
Of earthquake, or wildfire.
We knew of freedom on Saturdays.
We knew of sunshine on daisies
And the smell of fresh water
On the dock at the lake.
But, when the wild winds
Slammed through the gates
Of our safety,
Built of naivety,
The hands of a vengeful God
Became visible and the words
Of the Word began to make
A bit more sense.