No nesting. You are the nest.
No wind, no earthquake, no fire;
Only still small stirring within.
More motion, no fledgling—
Only slippery sharp shards
shattered below. Quiet.
Only stillness will bear you
To the fullness of time.

Since 1900, the Christian Century has published reporting, commentary, poetry, and essays on the role of faith in a pluralistic society.
© 2026 The Christian Century.
No nesting. You are the nest.
No wind, no earthquake, no fire;
Only still small stirring within.
More motion, no fledgling—
Only slippery sharp shards
shattered below. Quiet.
Only stillness will bear you
To the fullness of time.
We would love to hear from you. Let us know what you think about this article by writing a letter to the editors.
Understanding polyamory
Annie Dillard’s unrestrained hallelujah
Where the salmon run again
Do I consider myself a Christian?