this is where the sisters lay

this is where the sisters lay
under soft soft earth untrod
such sunken rest, to kiss you
and enfold you, wrapped at last
in eternity's blue hue

this is where the sisters lay
under crosses white and grey
wind whispers through long grasses
birds call from the tree tops tall
as the garden waits for more

this is where the sisters lay
their prayer now a silent dawn
names, dates, an age recorded
for the living with fresh flowers
cut, laid, a simple act enough

this is where the sisters lay
arms folded under great weight
pressed down, disintegrating
soul departed, spirit freed
shadows lengthen into me

‘Who is this that grows like the dawn, As beautiful as the full moon, As pure as the sun, As awesome as an army with banners?’

Photo: John Larkin 

set against the velvet night

she sheds a sliver light

upon your path

causes you 

to ebb and flow
...

exerting her pull

she reveals

and then she covers
with her fullness
...

let her tide of love

cover your shore

tonight

before morning
dawns

...
let her light
shimmer on your surface 
and sparkle 
in your depths
...
o
how she
waits and waits
to silently show 
herself 
in degrees of 
lightness
...
and then she
turns
...
o 
my love
weep now at the beauty 
of the sight
and for how so very 
short 
is the night

Why would any soul in the world want to escape the Beloved?

When He is the shining centre
Of the universe's dark heart
When He speaks and darkness disappears
When He heals the earth's split core

Why would any soul take flight
From the pure promise
That is the Beloved?

And yet we run
And yet we hide
Behind unlovely veils

But the Beloved always sees
Always blesses
Always seeks to wear
Even our un-lovliness

Why would any soul in the world
Want to hold on to the torn shreds
Of a fading life
And not return home?

"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." *

"Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking that you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." Steve Jobs


no reason
no shadow
no stone in the shoe
or heart
not to start


already naked
already lost
already free of the snare
of possessions
to care


follow your heart 
follow the star
follow your desire
it'll only be looking behind that you'll see 
how it was the fire

The Many and The One

"Many people  ... don't think they are loved , or held safe, and so when suffering comes they see it as an affirmation of their worthlessness. The great question of ministry and the spiritual life is to learn to live out brokenness under the blessing and not the curse." Henry Nouwen



Many are counting the cost but there is only One seeking the lost

hope for a tree when it is cut down

For there is hope for a tree,
         When it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
         And its shoots will not fail.

“Though its roots grow old in the ground
         And its stump dies in the dry soil,
At the scent of water it will flourish
         And put forth sprigs like a plant.
“But man dies and lies prostrate.
         Man expires, and where is he?
(Job 14: 7-10)

where am I?
before expiration
inspiration
breathing in the breathe
of pure air 
your word wings
its way human-ward
heaven-sent
to carry me 
home

sown the wind : reap the whirlwind

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. (Hosea 8:7)


It says in an ancient book
that though you may sow with tears
you will reap with shouts of joy


but here
now


after 
the reaping
comes 
the weeping