Tuesday, September 20, 2011

At Home

The Abbey of the Arts periodically hosts a "poetry party." Today, the offering asks, "What does the metaphor of "going home" evoke for you?  What are the longings that autumn stirs in your heart?" Below is my response. May God bless all of our "homes" -- those from which we come, and those we create now. Join the party!

At Home

At home there is a river
that, over too much time
for memory, niched
its way through a mountain,
making a way where there was
no way. At home that river
feeds leafy flesh so rich
they age to majestic purples
this dusky time of year. At home
my parents also survive on
that river’s passage, but
their veins grow thick through
papery skin losing its pinkish hue.
At home the leaves will fall
into the river’s flow, be swept through
a mountain gap and into mulch. At
home they will one day be one
with the mountain and trees
and, eventually, no longer be
in memory.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Seeking What?

RevGal Jan posted today's Friday Five: Seeking What?

I was struck in our weekly Lectio Divina group by a few verses from Psalm 105:3-4:

. . . let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice
Seek the Lord and his strength; 
seek his presence continually.

Seeking is rejoicing. Rejoicing comes from the seeking, NOT the end of glory, heaven, enlightenment, or whatever. Seeking is the journey--RIGHT NOW!

So for this Friday Five, list what you are seeking, whether it is trivial, profound, or ordinary--whatever you would like to share! List 5 and add a bonus if you feel like it!
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What am I seeking? So many things, but for today in particular....
1. A homily for tomorrow's wedding. I began one, but I don't know if I'm following the Spirit with it or not. So I need to "let it lay" for a little while and come back to it and listen again. 
2. Some peace from time-anxiety. Do I have enough time to spend "playing" with my parents today? Or do I need to focus? Either way, I seek the peace. 
3. Connection.
4. The willingness to just be in this beautiful place (Vermont mountains, GREEN, winding roads...it's like home).
5. More peace and grace and wisdom and... God.