Place of Solace
Sunlight on the water this cool September morning, with rain clouds over the distant island; the earth pitch-perfect in communion. It took a lifetime of letting go to discover this solace, where the sea and green land soak comfort into the soul. I offer peace into this temple, feel her peace rise beneath my feet, […]
Plain Chant
In the dawn hour the sea lies flat between tides, no wind or movement, only the quiet of the coming day. As the sun rises the sea moves in ebb, and the buzzing life of the forest grows louder. I hold to the stillness; the plain chant of the world in morning devotion. For those […]
Angels of Light
Communion is hard to come by when so much is based on untruth. Addiction to lying demands increasing doses, until the body collapses under the weight of its deception. That’s why we live on half rations, roaming the borderlands. Vigilant for the outcome, we know dark clouds will pass. The storied days of the flowing […]
Prayer of Silent Truth
My cask of praise empty, the last words of thankfulness consumed in the burnt forest, I struggle to the altar heart weary and without solace. Your voice in the far distance consoles the tedium of time, yet without the turtle’s shell I lay open to sorrow and tides of disappointment. I set my feet on […]
In this Moment
The morning won’t deceive you with its freshened air and sound of birds. You needn’t rely on memory; the timeless touch is on every plant. Turn off the pleas of the captured, designed to mislead you, and step into your many-colored garment of sunlight and soft breezes, thankful for the silence, awake to the eternal. […]
Rusted Cables
South wind breaks in waves against the ebbing tide, sunlight falls in shafts on the rain-soaked shore. As I follow the sea’s motion anchors of permanence fall away, weights of self-importance drop like rusted cables. With fresh current under my old boat I point the bow toward open water, and without regret, venture out on […]
Music of the First Born
Lifted on summer waves, the pulse of life carries us beyond decay. New seeds crack open, revealing pale forms with boneless limbs, aching for daylight. Affectionate words take shape, and praise, freed from despair, tumbles forth in bright colors as we sing music of the first born along the mistaken avenues of misery, our faces […]
Birth Wail
He visits the well in early morning, before the day opens for business. With a battered tin cup he dips out words and fragments to write on the pages of his unlived life. Ink comes from the blood he’s squandered, paper from the depths of loss. He scrawls with intention and from the silence gives […]
Tumbled Smooth
He lingers on the Moon and the pale light of Arcturus as the valley heat passes over. After years of avid collecting, he fixes his inner eye on release in the supple manner of trees. Going down the mountain the desire to climb dissolves; he notices the shape of streams, the color of rocks and […]
Faith of Leaves
Green leaves of the cherry tree sparkle in morning light while ocean’s breath cools the valley. Suffering these last weeks, reverence was hard to come by, attention to pain prevailed over beauty, yet the sight of you awakened me, ransomed my heart from the prison of bones. I take communion in the sacrament of thanks […]
Resurrection Portal
I whirl through space, a sea of aether and stardust, yet can’t lift my eyes from the dirt trodden path. I stumble around ignorant and afraid, though determined not to fall. I’ve begged a thousand pardons, walked in rags about the sacred mountain, followed endless breadcrumbs toward the promise of silence. I keep my head […]
To Be Like Water
More stone than sea I’d be like water, touched by wind, loved by the moon. I’d dwell in deep canyons, travel the furthest reach, and beyond sight of land be the ocean that shapes your grief in a curling wave of foam and sunlight. […]
To Beauty Let Go
“It is the nature of stone to be satisfied. It is the nature of water to want to be somewhere else.” – Mary Oliver We walked on windswept dunes, over flower-strewn meadows where the sound of birds and flowing creeks gave the air its beauty. You asked “what is the meaning” and with you […]
When Leaves Burst Out
Look for me when leaves burst out and voices of spring ring full in the valley. Follow the snow melt along the Clackamas and Long Tom rivers, beside the Willamette where wild flowers spread and deer grow fat. Where salmon run the Deschutes and herds of elk trek to higher ground, the invisible hand guides […]
Noise of Flowers
Spring flowers rattle the caves, provoking the apostles to take up their pallets of sorrow and leave dark comfort. Trees hide in the rain, fearing the cold; as crocus and daffodils join the chorus the noise of flowers disturbs my sleep. Pulling on the coat of forgiveness I stagger toward the light, shocked into wakefulness […]