O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! ~ Frances Scott Key

I can’t understand God,
know how he manages
my life, much less a universe
of two. I can’t do more than listen,
follow, and repeat. But I know
my penchant for independence
stands me in poor stead,
that reliance on God, dependence,
works best for me and all around.