Only One Garden
I thought “Come into my garden”
was invitation to
delight, intimacy, union.
It was retreat time after all.
Was it not Garden of the Beloved
or had I read the Song all wrong?
But in a flash this springtime beauty
became a hillside
of dry gnarled olive trees
……Garden of Gethsemane.
The invitation was still “come”
come watch with me.
Fear shuttered my heart
sorrow for him and
for my own unsteady love
until an unseen cricket
in solitary vigil,
pierced the night
with its body – song.
I knew then
there is only one garden.
Mary – Margaret
A young girl asks: How can this be —
more an exclamation than a question.
A dying mother asks: When do I say amen?
Will the director give me a nod,
or do I just say it over and over?
Is the prayer finished when I say amen,
or has it just begun?
It’s sort of scary to sound so final
but all of my life I’ve been waiting for the moment
God would call my name.
I want to do your will,
but I didn’t know it would be like this.
The virgin said: Let it be done!
The grandmother said: amen.
God said: It is and it will be
and I will be born in you
according to your word.
December 24, 2002
Change
Have you ever seen a hickory tree
in spring?
Tight-fisted buds gnarled shut
against the cold.
Then pretty May appears
and leaves unfurl
as though some hidden force
would have it so.
Don’t tell anyone
but I’ve seen it in endings, too.
When all is over, finished, closed up, turned in-
then some inner surge
breaks through
and opens petal by delicate petal
new ways of being.
Mystery of death, Mystery of life
Christed moments
that know no
End.
Tautra – March 2007
By the Lake
Utter peacefulness
Tranquil water
Birds sing as though a thousand years
Were just yesterday.
Did you ever just sit and listen to the crickets
Or watch the Father’s
Diamonds dance deliriously?
Son though you are
Is it still delight
To catch the Kingfisher
In morning flight?
O Love beyond all telling,
joy and hope
Agonizing conflict
all in all in all
in one shattering call:
As I am
As I do
As I live and die and rise eternally
So be you! Amen. Alleluia
Galilee – December 2006
Rebecca’s Gift
What a large gift, little one,
Can you carry it?
It is my treasure, you know…
This legacy of mine
Is ancient, yet ever new.
It is young, like you
with shoulders strong
and foot steps agile.
It is ancient in hearts turning free.
Within it, as within you,
I have placed
A ray of true light,
A flame of love,
A jet-stream of life.
This gift, Little One, is ours –
ours to carry together,
ours to hold in wonder,
ours to return to the Father.
Open slowly – watch for surprises.
May – June, 2012
Beauty is such a multi-faceted word. The word itself evokes happiness, tranquility, and goodness.
The word “beauty” says to me – do not be afraid; all is well and there is hope.
There is another word that I find evokes a similar feeling: The word is bless or blessing.
It is full of light, goodness and beauty.
To wish a blessing on another is to gift this person freedom of life, openness of heart and peace even if there may be suffering …I guess what I am trying to say is …Beauty is not just a word and yet it is a word that is powerful and intriguing. And there are other words that also hold such power. Perhaps, Beauty is the most transparent and comfortable for me.
