The Sixth Hour: two poems by Justin Evans

image by Marcel, on Pixabay

Lectio Divina

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

morning contemplation

page word

enveloped within purple pink glow

beneath which the sun lifts

itself

rising slowly over

powerhouse mountain

letting His voice

transcribed ink

inform each new day

*

it is serenity one must seek find

where it can be found

whole unabated undisturbed

once found

thoughts must grow thrive

then exultation

finally understanding

peace will rise up as it must

like pale blue skies

Sext

Sext: sixth hour (approximately noon), one of the hours of prayer

in the liturgies of some Christian churches.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:2-3).

for this small lot

give poor thanks

for health and prosperity

give poor thanks

for grace and the gift of sight

give poor thanks

*

noon sun descends

flowers drink up

His love

reciprocate their industry

all the virtues

within this eternal transaction

pass like a small stream

smoothing out rough stone

______________________

Justin Evans was born and raised in Utah. He served in the army and then graduated from Southern Utah University and later the University

of Nevada, Reno. He lives in rural Nevada with

his wife and sons, where he teaches at the local

high school. Justin’s seventh full-length book of poetry is ‘Cenotaph’ (Kelsay Books, 2024). His poems have recently appeared in weber: The

Contemporary West, The Meadow, Wild Roof,

and Collateral. Justin has received two Artist Fellowship Grants from the State of Nevada.

September 2025 issue