Here’s another poem that came to me because of its first line. I just love the image of water running over stones and shaping them as it goes. Heartsmith As spills in sparkles a sunlit stream over sunken stones, Smithing them to smoothness with its tumbling touch, Rounding their roughness in its ruthless rushing, While… Continue reading Poems of Beauty and Blessing 40: Heartsmith
Tag: Faith
Poems of Beauty and Blessing 39: Still and Small
I’ve wanted to write this one for ages now! I’m glad it finally came. Still and Small It sings when silence seeks its own, When words unwoven will not wait But flee through flailing fingers to fly Freely floating upon the winds of worry and fear. It comes when fury spends itself, Burning brilliantly to… Continue reading Poems of Beauty and Blessing 39: Still and Small
Poems of Beauty and Blessing 38: Doubter’s Prayer
This is a poem along the lines of the gospel bit that goes: “Lord, I believe. Help Thou my unbelief.” I think it’s an important state to acknowledge. Doubter’s Prayer Will You walk with me a while, Even when I cannot stand? Will You weep with me a while, When all weeping seems vain? Will… Continue reading Poems of Beauty and Blessing 38: Doubter’s Prayer
Poems of Beauty and Blessing 37: Let Go a Little
This is a poem in which I try to articulate the value of even a little asceticism in life. Let Go a Little Let go a little, Releasing the thing to which you too-close cling, Relaxing the grip of your clasping grasp, Relenting, repenting the limited love Which prisons and poisons both lover and beloved.… Continue reading Poems of Beauty and Blessing 37: Let Go a Little
Poems of Beauty and Blessing 36: As It Comes
I guess this poem is about the dance of impermanence with that which is eternal. They are both necessary to us as humans. The trouble comes when we try to find eternity where it doesn’t exist. I guess this poem is about accepting life for what it is here on earth and letting it be… Continue reading Poems of Beauty and Blessing 36: As It Comes
Poems of Beauty and Blessing 35: What Will We Bring?
I wrote this as we approached Lent in the Orthodox Christian calendar. It’s about the idea of the last judgment. What Will We Bring? What will we bring on that bright and burning day When all we nestled near and dearly kept IN careful concealment, hidden in our hearts Is bared to all, beyond the… Continue reading Poems of Beauty and Blessing 35: What Will We Bring?
Poems of Beauty and Blessing 34: In Pacem
This poem is about, well, peace. In Pacem It needs the plumb of prayerful peace to sound the depths of the soul Whose song is silence to the unwary one That seeks to drown it deep beneath the deluge Of business and bother, buying and selling, Never telling its ways in wonder Or weeping for… Continue reading Poems of Beauty and Blessing 34: In Pacem
Poems of Beauty and Blessing 33: Soul-Song
In this poem, I was trying to get at the idea of the body-soul connection. Indeed, I used the word “connection” just now, but I really mean “integration.” We are body-souls, and what each does affects the other. I’ve always loved the image of a harp ringing in sympathy with another. Soul-Song As upon the… Continue reading Poems of Beauty and Blessing 33: Soul-Song
Poems of Beauty and Blessing 32: Seeking Salem
This time, a poem about those times when life is very uncertain and we find ourselves seeking we hardly know what. Seeking Salem We wake to walk the world a while in wonder, Tumbled into time for triumph or for tragedy. More likely a bit of both is what we are born to bear As… Continue reading Poems of Beauty and Blessing 32: Seeking Salem
Poems of Beauty and Blessing 31: Vernal Offering
It’s all the robin’s fault, the one who now sings outside my window every morning and evening. He made me write yet another poem about spring, which is a season that always fascinates me with its ability to capture the senses in sheer delight. Vernal Offering The heart hails the hoped-for waning of winter As… Continue reading Poems of Beauty and Blessing 31: Vernal Offering