February 24, 2023 Last year, the day after Putin invaded Ukraine, I wrote the poem, When You Choose War, below. Since that day, according to 1440 Daily Digest, a nonbiased digital news source, “Western intelligence suggests military casualties—those either dead or wounded—are nearing 200,000 for Russia and have reached 100,000 for Ukraine. International groups have confirmedContinueContinue reading “When You Choose War: Again”
Category Archives: poetry
Sifting Ashes
February 22, 2023 For Christians, today marks Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the 40 day Lenten Journey when Jesus Christ’s walk to the cross is remembered and held in the heart. Ash Wednesday, with its invitation to fasting, repentance, and commitment to taking the journey, along with its emphasis on mortality, is something, quite honestly,ContinueContinue reading “Sifting Ashes”
A Poem for Turkey and Syria
February 8, 2023 Another Day What will I make of this new daywhile bodies (some with breath) lie entombedbeneath mortar, brick, wood, and stonewhere the earthshook and life collapsed?What will I do on this bright sunny day,all my limbs intact,my loved ones well,when the dirge of mourning snakes its waythrough plumes of dust and smoke—itsContinueContinue reading “A Poem for Turkey and Syria”
A Blessing for Candles
February 2, 2023 While most of us in the States may be disappointed because our favorite groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow today, which tradition says means six more weeks of winter, we might be consoled by remembering that, in the Roman Catholic Church, today is also Candlemas, the feast day of the Presentation ofContinueContinue reading “A Blessing for Candles”
Epiphany: The Rest of the Rest of the Christmas Story
January 6, 2023 For many Christians, the Feast of Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas Season and is the culminating celebration of the Twelve Days of Christmas. The story of the Epiphany is found only in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter Two, and it involves the non-Jewish wise men/kings/magi/astronomers (supposedly three, but no numberContinueContinue reading “Epiphany: The Rest of the Rest of the Christmas Story”
Reverie ~ A Christmas Poem
The tree stands bare in the spillof white candlelightthat beckons remembrance,the still air laden with pungent pine.I unwrap memorieslifted from silk-worn boxes,and passing years emerge,reflecting faces mirroredin each round and shiny ball. A piece of crumpled tissue dropsand here is the rocking horsesuspended on a crimson stringthat marked my son’s first outing,creamed soup with hisContinueContinue reading “Reverie ~ A Christmas Poem”
Thursday, Advent Week 3: Shine
The Psalms of Advent, December 15, 2022 You are invited to light a candle and join me as we reflect upon the final psalm selected for Advent, as designated in the Revised Common Lectionary. I hope you will sit with this psalm and listen for the word that Spirit is whispering to you. Today’s poem,ContinueContinue reading “Thursday, Advent Week 3: Shine”
Saturday, Advent Week 2: A Poem
Please light a candle and join me on this Advent journey and exploration of the Psalms of Advent. In my last blog, I wondered about the invitation to make praise both a worship and an everyday practice and experience. This poem is the response to my reflection on that. Like the psalm we have lookedContinueContinue reading “Saturday, Advent Week 2: A Poem”
Wednesday, Advent Week 2: A Poem
The Psalms of Advent, December 7, 2022 Since yesterday’s post on Psalm 21 and my thoughts on the word “presence” (https://wordpress.com/view/spirit-reflections.org), I’ve had a desire to write a poem about the presence of the Divine as my meditation on this psalm. I thought of that Presence who revealed Itself in evening walks in gardens, inContinueContinue reading “Wednesday, Advent Week 2: A Poem”
Saturday, Advent Week 1: Sacred Reading
The Psalms of Advent, December 2, 2022 You are invited to light a candle and join me on this journey of reflecting on the psalms chosen for the Season of Advent, most recently Psalm 72, found here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2072&version=NRSVUE. A couple of days ago, I mentioned that I am not a scholar of the psalms. IContinueContinue reading “Saturday, Advent Week 1: Sacred Reading”
Spirit Reflections 