The Bible in a Verse

There’s a verse in Isaiah
that summarizes the entirety
of sacred scripture in a comma
followed by four words:
      , and I love you

Personally, I think the comma stands
For every time we’ve failed as humans. 
God gives us everything but still we fall,
scraped knee symphony, no applause.
      Still He waits to catch us.

And gives me hope, like
there’s more to my story
than the mess in front of me.
One day things may work out.
      And there will always be tomorrow.

God in the first person reminds me
that I am, too. But if God Is then why
is He so hard to find? Sunglasses get lost
on my head and my phone in my hand.
      Show me where You really are.

Writing a verse about God’s love
seems lightbulb watt trivial—good luck
explaining lumens to a pickup truck.
Sometimes I get it, most of the time
      I’m stuck in my head, lights out.

Then there’s You, or is it Me,
or is it all of us because none of us
have the guts to let our hearts be free?
Hold tight to personal identity as you
      fade away in existential bliss.

Because you are precious in my eyes
and honored, and I love you.
Maybe one day I’ll let myself
be loved by God. Until then
      I’ll pretend everything is fine.