I am not

I am not a poet The subtle mystery of cadence and rhyme escape me. And this is not a poem. I confess, this bothers me a lot. I’m ashamed of it, in fact. In the same way: I am not a musican. I am not an artist. I am not an intellectual. I am not […]

Take that!

When my thirst got great enough to ask, a clear stream welled up inside, some jade wave buoyed me forward, and I found myself upright in the instant, with a garden inside my own ribs aflourish. There, the arbor leafs. The vines push out plump grapes. You are loved, someone said. Take that and eat […]

What I know

I know I am not just nothing I am worse than all of that I am a hammer which destroys I am a fist raining blows I am an arrow aimed at your secret I am a mean old fool whose greedy touch kills I know that all my passion and all my vision compels […]

Emmanuel

O come, O come, and be our God-with-us O long-sought With-ness for a world without, O secret seed, O hidden spring of light. Come to us Wisdom, come unspoken Name Come Root, and Key, and King, and holy Flame, O quickened little wick so tightly curled, Be folded with us into time and place, Unfold […]

garish frame

in the evening I like to wander sometimes my old favorites grow familiar I discover new routes to which I return I relish every fading curve of the foothills every layer of mountain shadowed along the distance I love the sharp peaks against the deep sky every shade of pink and orange and blue every […]

Kiss that crazy girl!

You’re gonna                jump into that wild blue         kiss that crazy girl                 move there                 stay here After all         This number         not […]

a fabulous poem

this is a fabulous poem, because: it’s not a poem. in His mercy it’s something God showed me i can’t do one thing right without praying because God must do it not i everything sits fine in balance, and too much juggling put its all at risk i’m only good enough at juggling to drop […]

The Risk and the Daring

May the risk and the daring the scandal and the holiness the surprise and the destiny the power and the weakness the poverty and the richness the humility and the honor of Jesus’ miraculous birth be birthed miraculously in you in your hopes and fears failures and success friendships and solitude work and rest now […]

quiet

in the vast grand quiet         at the center                 of the mystery of existence                         if it is possible                 that a voice       […]

breaking waters

I wept                     when I first walked the river path           the rush of emerald waters                     broke against the rock                         […]