As the night approaches
We stand united, protected, heard.

The ice and steel of silence is pushed away…
as the warmth of acceptance is reflected on our faces.

We remove from the fire the sharpened stones of our common pain.
Witnessing, validating, honoring the cost required to reach in and grasp our wounds.

We are making an Ebenezer of our life stories,
a pile of precious stones…
a marker to serve as a testimony to those who have yet to find the strength to speak.

And when the task is complete, we collapse onto the grass,
(which has been softened by our tears),
And curl up into the safety of each other’s backs.
Forming a separate memorial that lives and breathes
And can finally sleep in peace.

• Ebenezer means “stone of remembrance” 1 Samual 7:12: Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means “the stone of help”), for he said, “Up to this point the LORD has helped us!” NLT