Tag Archives: poetry

Lenten Day Fifteen: Persian Proverb

February 28, 2024 “This too shall pass.”  Persian proverb On this 15th day of Lent, I remember my mother.  Whenever I found myself in moments of illness, disappointment, frustration, discomfort, or worry, she would say, “This too shall pass.”  I don’t think she ever said, “I’m sorry, that must be tough,” or even, “Get overContinueContinue reading “Lenten Day Fifteen: Persian Proverb”

Lenten Day Ten: Archibald McLeish

February 23, 2024 There is no dusk to be,There is no dawn that was,Only there’s now, and now,And the wind in the grass. From “An Eternity,” by Archibald McLeish On this tenth day of Lent, one quarter of the way to Easter, you may beginto notice some repetitive themes among my collection of quotations. That’sbecauseContinueContinue reading “Lenten Day Ten: Archibald McLeish”

First Lenten Sabbath: Wendell Berry

February 18, 2024 During the Lenten Season, before Easter Sunday, “regular” Sundays, like today, are not included in the 40-day count of preparation because they are considered “mini resurrections.” So, instead of sharing a meditation on one of the many quotations I have procured this past year, I will share a poem that matches theContinueContinue reading “First Lenten Sabbath: Wendell Berry”

Sifting Ashes ~ A Lenten Poem

Feb. 13, 2024 Sifting Ashes What would you doif you were invitedto enter your heartin this seasonof self-honesty?If you were encouragedto leave reason and judgmentbehind and insteadask grace to be yourcompanion?Would you say yes?Would you accept the flashlightoffered when you crossedthe threshold, the decoder ringneeded to deciphereach message that begsrevelation?Could you look?Once inside, would youContinueContinue reading “Sifting Ashes ~ A Lenten Poem”

Reverie ~

December 26, 2023: The Second Day of Christmas ReverieThe 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 markedContinueContinue reading “Reverie ~”

The Longest Night

December 21, 2023 To all those, everywhere, who are experiencing a “longest night” this holy-day season, hold fast to the promise that “the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it” (John 1:5). And a poem to remind each other we are not along, but together, we can share our light: CandleContinueContinue reading “The Longest Night”

Advent 3: What if . . .

December 18, 2023 What If . . . we turned down the noiseof Holiday Traditionsclosed the email accountswith all of those varioussources that encourage usto do Adventrightset aside the plethoraof spiritual bookshoping to guide us intoa valley of perfectwaitingand tuned outthe spiritual guruseager to revealthe promise ofimpeccablestillness.What ifit were enoughinsteadto sitwordlessjust as we arein aContinueContinue reading “Advent 3: What if . . .”

Advent One: A Story

December 2023 When I was a child, I was mesmerized by the Advent Season.  Mesmerized is a powerful word, and completely accurate.  I still see that sense of rapt wonder on the faces of children watching candlelight, and I hope it still shows on my own. Advent, which means coming, is the four-week period inContinueContinue reading “Advent One: A Story”

A Different Perspective

October 24, 2023 When the entire world seems to be crumbling apart, perhaps what we need to practice is simply a different perspective, a turn of our lens.  When we can slow down enough to become observant; when we choose to listen to what beckons; when we pay attention to what has been trying toContinueContinue reading “A Different Perspective”