Hide and Seek

with E M I L I A

“Are you in there, God?”
I say as I detangle the
blankets and fold them
over the bed.

He is grinning in the corner
with his hands over his eyes.

Walking into the bathroom
I turn on the shower
and look closely into the stream
“Are you in there, God?”

He is sitting in the sink
trying not to giggle.

I wander through the house
“God, where are you?”

He tiptoes behind me
pressing himself to the wall
beaming with joy and mischief
each time I turn my head.

“Maybe God is outside?”
I sing.

So we take our game
into the world.

In each interaction
with strangers and friends
family and coworkers
I secretly, silently ask
“God, are you in there?”

And I see him
holding his breath
peeking around the patterns
judgments and struggles
peering from behind the “to do” lists
the “what next’s” and “but how’s"
and when he can’t contain
his happiness any longer
we all fall apart
in laughter.

“I FOUND YOU.
I found you, I found you, I found you.”