sorrow

the pain encircled our body

throbbing, swelling, pulling, pulling... pulling

as we dragged the devil into the light

Christ's body

heaving with last- oh, why are we forsaken?

crucified to bring justice

a Woman, beaten with a bat, robbed

in front of St. Gert's

pain, pain, pain

encircling us

as we dip our hands into the wound

and believe it is Christ's body

gasping and broken

hope seems far and small

a pure light shining in an unreachable distance

where is the resurrection now

why are we stuck at Friday

i've been thinking about peter maurin

the dark starry night

swirling and shining above

with crisp, crisp air

flowing through me

the pureness of earth

given for me.

shown to me.

Jesus!

It is dark and Your tomb is

empty.

sadness and self-pity overwhelm.

does leaving the nature mean leaving You?

Go eat, You say.

Eat, and I have more to show you.

I return with my steaming mug,

but it is not to the twin oaks that You call.

You beckon towards the East

and I follow.

hands warmed by my Pope coffee mug,

face burrowed in fleece,

I walk fast.

I think I know what You want to show me.

And there it is.

I reach the openness

and my self rejoices

The night is no longer dark,

You have lit the sky with

all color

You have lifted the weight from my

heart.

You have risen, and returned.

and nothing else matters

except the truth existing in now.

sweet communication

hands clasped

heart’s pathways connected

by warm, throbbing palms

sending the communal silent love of

what we don’t understand

above

above

in honest surrender and repentance.

lives misled by results

re-membered through this

mystery.

This great Being of love.

simple intimacy

and yet Somehow

this is all I need

to sit before You

and be known.

to breathe in and out

as Your heart

and mine

connect, unite, merge

a beam of light

holding us together

the simplicity of this is shocking

being with You

as natural as breathing

and my city problems fall away.

how can they compete

with sisters singing in a meadow?

or the wind moving my hair

and whispering Your love

and I know I will return

to issues and sadness

and maybe my life is to make those

less.

but what if my life were to be

something much simpler?

a return to the earth.

a return to myself.

now

calm, yet troubled

don't fit.

I want to be a puzzle piece

but I have parts that don't fit here.

my soul longs for the wild green wilderness

to be astounded and fulfilled.

God,

You are crucified and strangled

broken, gasping

yet within all this

all.

the Earth I step on.

Fall began

a small yellow finch lie still

fallen

as slightly as the first

brown dried leaves

bringing with it

tangible fall-like scent

atmospheric switch

and

-suddenly-

the death of green things begin.

as I eat my blueberry scone

and sip iced coffee

surrounded by a green canopy

and pleasant chatter

this too, will change

as beverages turn warm

and bodies return home.

september 1st

I can see
into the smooth endless sands of eternity

the quiet heart joy
and still lake waters
yellow blue cloud blanket
humming soul music
forming the endless peace-silence, saying,

"Be still, and know that I am God."

oh, that today you hear this voice
with Mary as your mother
calm self-being
emanating from Being of Another

this love is as slow
as beautiful
pouring small streams
into my river self
to the gulf of my being.

francesca

remember who you are, woman.
swirling, dancing, beaming
part of the larger swirling, dancing beaming
galaxy
nurturing into fullness, into growth
bright as the stars
connected, rich and vibrant, to the
galaxy
standing on your toes
lifting your smooth, honest face
hearing those whispers
and pondering them so very carefully.
yearning for good
reaching for truth
opening yourself
in only the quiet, secret ways
a woman can give herself fully
devoted to this
Love.
and the fullness of it all is there.
and it all catches you,
lifting you up
until you are immersed, held
in that immense and overwhelming
galaxy
remember who you are, woman.
it is more than the whole earth.

heart

crazy turned self
bubbling inside a tired heart
a closed one
a clenched one
a soul made private
an eggshell unbroken.

break me open, God.
throw me in the mix
and nurture me into something so good.

at Starbucks

Lord
make me like the sparrow
humble and small
full of life energy
abundant curiosity
and wonder overflow

Perhaps the sparrow
dreams of being an eagle
but I think not-
her sight is limited
to be content in her humility

To join with others
and gracefully float from
tree to tree
as larger problems pass.

Lord
make me like the sparrow
hopping and bouncing
held.