by Samuel Rahberg after Revelation 3:15-22

Neither too hot nor too cold

is the greater danger

to common life.

Hot heads fuel fear,

cold hearts still harmonies,

yet nothing rots covenants

like lukewarm indifference.

Behold, the Holy One calls,

I stand at the door and knock.

We may not have

the fire to drive him away

nor the ice to refuse him,

but let us not be caught

humming to ourselves,

pretending he’s not there.

Set down tepid ways,

put a hand to the latch.

From the collection Ice Break by Samuel Rahberg