It had been a long time since anyone had come into this place but since it was the 31st night, the place was crowded. I saw the array of people crouched in the corner:

One was rolling by the tree, another clutching his stomach in an up-and-down movement, the others wailing loudly, meticulously glancing at the 17-hour clock that they kept beside them.

One caught my eye, and as I moved closer - I heard her louder

'By fire, by fire, by fire' Her mouth moved repeatedly and her back arched to the rhythm of her sway

I could not help but wonder 'By fire, what?' - I stood there waiting for a reply when none came - I walked away.

The other had spent more than 3 hours setting up what looked like a tripod - she was trying to get the lighting right, and I wondered if the light in here wasn't light enough for her- I sat and looked more intently- my daughter was a unique creature, she put on the music and shouted till she got tired, packed and left.

I walked around the garden again, skimming through, and saw my son

'we must push, we must push'

'we must push 17 hours'

They fell on the floor, they groaned loudly, they changed their positions like slithery snakes - they cried loudly for another measure

I looked at them and they were not ready for what they had asked so I walked away.

This is how it had been for some time now, repented mouths but unrepented hearts, curious for my hand weary of my face

This generation liked the commitment on their bios but their lives, they withheld from me. Their deepest commitment was on Sunday morning but by 6 pm the contract expired and they went back into the world, although I tugged on their hearts - they visited but they never stayed. I decided to retire, walking back the route that I once cherished, the very place where I lavished my love and opened up myself to my own - now remains empty, remains dry, and without love. I was walking back when I heard it

'Lord please help me'

It was a cry that came from a place where most people had hidden away - I turned to see and my heart was immediately drawn, I stopped and listened

'I'm finding it hard to pray Lord, help me to do it for Love's sake, I want to commune with you, I want to talk to you, I want to share how I feel with you Lord, the anxiety has been on an all-time high - Lord help me to prioritize you, I want to be where you are - they call me all these names with all these offices but I know that all I am is in you and without you I have nothing, bring me to a place of trust - your word will I hold on to as sure as I know my name, thank you because you called me beloved, thank you because you love me and you see me, I love you, Lord'

And pour I did,

From strength to grace, from grace to favor, and from favor to mercy, it came out of me and I lavished it on her until her cup runneth over and until she was overwhelmed by my goodness and embarrassed by my favor. Out of me went into her and I was glad that it did, she came to me and I made her - she truly surrendered and I was more than happy to give to her all that she wanted. There was reason to come here, I was glad I did.