Wednesday, February 27, 2019

The Joy of Randomness


Picture a pillow or picture a peacock,
Picture a rainbow in splendid array;
Picture, ah, picture, the smile on a strawberry,
Or the sweet moment when night turns to day.

Picture the willows bent down to the water,
Picture the sun dancing bright on the wave
Picture (oh fancy it!) bluebells and unicorns,
Or the dear comforts that make you feel brave.

Picture whatever, whoever, wherever
Picture with glee and a smile of surprise
All of the world for your heart’s exploration
Imagination and wide open eyes.

Picture a squirrel or picture a penguin
Picture a ship or a soft, rain-soaked day
Freedom to wonder and let the mind wander
Into sweet meadows where young moonbeams play.

So much, so much to enjoy and give thanks for
Wise hearts can hold a continuous feast
Gladly embracing the glory and beauty:
Seen and acknowledged, enjoyed and released.

Picture a heart that’s content in amazement
Taking each thing as a gift and delight.
Picture the joy that will come in the morning:
Tears wiped away and our faith turned to sight.


Friday, February 22, 2019

Sometimes You Just Know


Sometimes you just know.
In the still small twilight,
In the whisper of the stars,
In the rippling of water
And the soft caress of rain,
You know.

Sometimes you just know.
In the touch of a child’s finger,
The confiding of their smile,
In the tears that wreath our gratitude
And the laughter of our freedom,
You know.

Sometimes you just know.
When the thunder shakes your mettle
And the rainbow lifts the sky,
When the wanting is too dreadful
And the tongue runs out of words,
You know.

Sometimes you just know.
In the silence past the violence,
In the courage to go on,
In the prayer that changes all things
And the hope that weaves the world,
You know.

Sometimes you just know.

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

If the Faith is Anything


If the faith is anything
It must be everything
Without the centre
We are hollow as a sounding gong.

If the faith is anything
It must be more
Than the skim of sunlight on the water
Dulled by a passing cloud.
It must be more
Than rigmarole and ritual
And occasional appeasement.
It must be more.

If the faith is anything
It should transcend
Our careless little thinking
And entitled boredom.
It should transcend
Our moderated dreams
And the hopes this world can give.
It should transcend.

If the faith is anything
It must embrace
Height, depth, length, breadth
And every nuance
Of sweet and sour in the life we live.
It must embrace
Mystery and certainty,
Grief and joy-gone-dancing.
It must embrace.

If the faith is anything
It must be everything
Or it is nothing
Just a rumour on the wind.

And let our cry come unto you.


Friday, February 15, 2019

I am a Broken Pot


I am a broken pot.
You pour your water in.
And straightway it leaks out,
And yet it washes sin:
A broken vessel I,
A cymbal made of tin.

I am a scattered seed
That falls on troubled ground:
The strange dark winds of life
Have turned me all around.
Yet, since your grace rains down,
Some root, some foothold found.

I am a sheep confused.
I go my baa-ing way,
Deaf to the shepherd’s voice,
Unwittingly I stray.
Yet, in some unmarked field,
Yourself became my way.

I am the parable
Of every undone thing:
I have no voice of praise
Till you teach me to sing;
Yet, in your lightest word,
I find my everything.