What Makes Us Feel Alive

Let's talk about what makes us feel alive.

Let's speak of the race and
Harvest-time and
How the fishing's going,
Rudders turning our course toward
The Morning Star.

Let's speak of an Anchor and a
Secret Hiding Place,
Of a flock of sheep and a
Lamb with seven horns,
Of a Groom and Bride all beautifully adorned.

Let's talk about what makes us feel alive.

Night

Rest-heralding shadows - silent, undistractable - process...
Gather the world into the cradling arms of night.
The sun's black cloak - star-studded blanket - Earth caress...
Gather every creature of the day to tuck them out of sight.
And should dark dim cheer - draw sadness - summon fear...
Gather humankind to the warmth of great hearth's heartening light.

Late Afternoon

Day, feather-soft
Hour-hand-slow,
Steps quietly into
Late afternoon.

There are fairy tales
Hiding just under
Warm green-gold leaves and
Cool moss-robed rocks,
    For those who would
See them.

Waters seem deeper,
In these hours,
And breeze to
Carry richer life.

We are wiser from the day,
Fuller from its grace
If we but accept
This sacred moment:

This chance for solitude.

9.6.15

I am tired
And cannot think about a beginning.
Our beginnings are scattered,
Asymmetric journeys,
And I am sad.
I am sad, and try to
Take the edge off with beauty.
My mind hides in trail's length -
Disappears
In the mountains' embrace as I
Attempt to distract, sedate my heart;
Numb the lonely with adventure.

The Communion of Saints

A thousand miles away
You're still warm.

And with lungs breathing
Magical holy air,
You are broken but a strand of
Hope still flows through your veins.

Here I do not stoop to judge,
But rise
To take hold of
The unspeakable, untouchable,
And all that is counted nothing,
To draw you in, deeper,
To this communion of saints.

Here I shared the wine
And took your confusion,
Held your shame.
Your suffering is mine,
I feel your waiting,
I'm bearing your pain.
Here I reaffirm
The communion of saints.

Of Lent and Perseverance - 12.7.14 & 2.22.15

Waiting, waiting, walking
Through the fog of the season between-
Between Christmas and Easter
Between birth and rebirth
Between looking back and looking forward...

Waiting through the gray cold of hidden preparation
Our souls hibernating
Our bodies sleepwalking,
Waiting for that day when the Spirit
Enters this stale air and
Makes it come alive,
When sun melds with breeze and
Turns it warm and living,
When Holy Spirit blows the wind of hope
To wake us
To thaw the world,
When our hearts pump sunlight
Through frosted veins.

You gave us life

We laid it down for you

We wait

Now raise the dead.

Part VI

The sun smiles on your shoulders;
Eager the sand captures your passing.

You are the moon's favorite -
He sends down a path for you;
The waters gently clasp your feet.

Gentle and fearsome,
Full of untold story,
Release your waiting light -
Speak yourself to my life.

5.18.14

The smells of earth, air, and water combine -

     Here comes the rain.

Here it arpeggio-drops

          along my path.

The first few drips, I see them,

          but blink

     As they tap my face, surprise me.

Their mother-cloud sails

          far above me as

These raindrops multiply,

          and   divide   the   sky -

They are static

Beautifully interrupting my space.

Liquid crystals shattering

          upon reaching air's boundaries.

Their multi-layered music compels

          my breath to slow,

          my heart to rest.

And now I'll soak in it,

And soak it all in.

Tekton - 11.20,21.13

You move                  You build

You carve                  You breathe

You choose these cold stones,
Sweat and groan as You bear them,
Dream of what You will make them.

Your Word, Your Heart, Your Hand the tool -
Dress naked stone through unparalleled vision,
Unhurried in holy process,
For in Your Presence is naught constrained by time.

Part V

Touch my mouth
          with your
Gentle fire-hands.
Stand close -
Dissolve the space between
          us with
Your presence.
This rain streams down
          your skin
               but
Your body
          is warm
               against mine.