We May Rise
The tree that grew on the hills above Jerusalem was cousin to the juniper growing here on this rock shelf above the Salish Sea. Stately furrows, roots like cable, branches bearing delicate spindles to capture the rain and light of this spring day. We cut and shape these trees as we did that one on […]
Rope of Stillness
I sit quite still becoming like the trees in deep-rooted silence. There is an old song in the hushed music of the earth, of ancient stone, rustling leaves and forest dreaming. I climb the vine covered walls using stillness as a braided rope and drop like a cat into the garden of the eternal. […]
Finding Faith
I count the days under cloud filled skies as the long arms of winter slowly recede. My hope like raindrops falling to the wet ground, finding faith in the dark soil for what surely rises. Reading of “Finding Faith” with music by Carlos […]
Lighting the Way
The sky closes in, gray water and strong wind surround the island, dissolving old stories. I’ve failed you many times yet still I rise to the day. Dallying is no good, better to strike quickly and release the inner gifts supple and undying. Hardened memories break open; from the shattered past the seedlings of love […]
Taste of Freedom
Light rises in the east, the sky a blush of orange and pink to greet the earth with morning. Winter’s peace yields to the cleansing spring, the melt of mountain snows swelling the rivers with the joy of high water. This may be a season like no other when fear is swept from the land, […]
Mystery Unfurled
With a muddy road ahead and a steep wall behind decisions aren’t as important as the resolve to continue. Keep faith with the flowering trees and align your thoughts with the strength of the tide. You will be disappointed, wounded again and again but you will not fail no matter the oppressor. The inner deity […]
Before First Light
In the gray dawn trees are quiet with winter sleep, black crows on the rooftop the only birds. The city is stripped of joy, weary of struggle. Thankfulness hard to come by yet it is the gift I place on the morning altar to comfort the bereft before first light. […]
Come to Surface
Winter won’t let go, the grip of cold and ice fierce in attachment to the rising earth. Vain we are to dream of awakening asleep in the stone cave, yet dream we must. As our soul fire ignites the ice melts, rivers flow, and we come to surface gulping in the air of freedom. […]
Happiness of the Forgotten Gods
The earth is quiet, gathering life force under rain sodden ground. Rainbows of color form in the dark soil, ready to emerge like an innocent babe in the light of the sun. I wait too and gather, poisoning the termites of resentment with laughter, making space in my winter chapel for the heralds of joy. […]
Voicing the Incantation
Light returns as the earth slowly wakens. Although warm in winter refuge, I feel the tug to rise from beneath the woolen blanket. The building creaks and groans like my body in the first steps of morning. A hymn of grace sounds within the earth, melodies of joy and sorrow stirring, to begin the journey […]
Working Iron
When we were behind the plow, working portions on another man’s land, we thought we understood the situation, our dream a piece of ground for ourselves. We worked our tail off for that quarter section and then came taxes and we were forced to wonder. My Pa fought the first war in France and me […]
Cold Air of January
Covered in winter clouds light rain falls on the valley, dripping from bare trees to the hard skin of concrete. I count prayers in tens, using my fingers for a rosary as I look out over the rooftops to smoke rising among shrouded evergreens. I remember my mother bearing the burden long ago seeing her […]
Temple of Your Heart
Tender is the birth of joy. Though the lies of fear disturb, innocence will not betray us. As we move from dark to light look within and see what rises; that ray of kindness in the temple of your heart will surely save us all. […]
Brave Horses
Quietly night slips away into the western peace of starlight and dreams. As day rises with bruised faith the shadows of discontent can consume the light, yet in winter dark brave horses await their riders, bearing a new earth yearning to be born. Reading of “Brave […]
Flame in Darkness
a kaddish for Tony Kennell There is healing in the tide and the energy beside the sea, yet I’m on short rations here in the gray light of winter dawn. The rain soaked streets add to the melancholy, but self-pity is a waste, so faithless to the many who walked before. So I go on […]