Footprints of a Prophet

I had wanted to follow

Because a prophet had walked there,

Even though the snow and silence were

Reason enough for a walk through

The quiet crispness of this winter evening.

I was grateful for the snow

Because I could see his footprints there,

And I measured my own against his,

Fitting my foot to his footprint,

Falling short, but hoping and building,

Example by example, precept upon precept,

Following on the footprints of a prophet.

As I watched and stretched step by step,

Assurance flowed liquid over

The quiet cushion of snow,

A sure but quiet testimony

That here are the footprints of a prophet—

Follow them.