October 12, 2023 Vermont Night “If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore.” Ralph Waldo Emerson Somewhere outside of Montpeliermiles from the lights of townwith autumn approachingbut not yetI stand under the night skyand gaze up.Such a simple actraising my face to nightmy sight to lightafterContinueContinue reading “Vermont Night”
Tag Archives: poetry
At the Table
September 27, 2023 I’ve been doing a bit of study lately on our shadow sides, those parts of us that we often consider negative or painful, and so we stuff them down into the depths. We all have them, and over our lives, from time to time, we struggle with fragmentation, knowing in our heartsContinueContinue reading “At the Table”
Hydrangeas in September
September 22, 2023 One of our greatest gifts is the ability to be surprised by wonder . . . and to pay attention to it. Hydrangeas in September You don’t expect itnot in September when the leavesare beginning their turningand hummingbirds prepareto migrate south.You don’t expect itwhile red squirrels scurryto bury nutsin your summer pottedContinueContinue reading “Hydrangeas in September”
Brothers of Joseph
O Joseph, favored son of the radiant colored coat,see how all your brothers gather againin these strained and foreign days.Watch them tear at your garment, again,shredding it apart in their frenzied envy,destroying what they do not want othersto possess. They turn their backson ancient Jacob in his grief, their handssplattered with blameless blood.Joseph, your brothersContinueContinue reading “Brothers of Joseph”
Reinventing Self
June 30, 2023 Some years ago, when I was active clergy and had been at my church for thirteen years, I found myself in a time of discernment about my future. A fellow clergy person with a thirty-year stay at his church suggested that the key to a long-term, fruitful ministry was to “reinvent” oneselfContinueContinue reading “Reinventing Self”
Summer Solstice Sunrise
June 21, 2023 Sun Poem Shouldn’t there be a ritual for the rising of the suneach daywith candles lit and dancing,hands upheld in welcome,songs lifted in praise?Watch how the sky prepares itselfswathed in azure and violethow the trees await, limbs liftednaked and unashamed.The hilltop holds itself steadyas the first sliver of light appearsbehind it andContinueContinue reading “Summer Solstice Sunrise”
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”
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”
Spirit Reflections 