When complaint has its basis in the nature of the divine, appealing to justice and mercy and truth, waiting for signs which tarry now yet will come without delay, when complaining stands atContinue reading “The Fig-Tree and the Worm”
Category Archives: Devotional
Empirical
Doubt erodes, and reason feeds on the brain that needs it, but eyes can trust what they see and lives the truth they know and hearts can feel the hope stretched out on the living tree and breath gives life to lungs that will open and receive it.
Dusk Flower
Head dense with things beyond knowing I turn and see a fiery flower dragon-fruit-like atop green leaves swaying in the dusk and walking by I turn out of myself to praise
Creator’s Sabbath
Today’s poem comes with acknowledgement to Professor John Walton, whose teaching on Genesis 1 and the meaning of God resting on the seventh day completely turned my thinking on its head – in a wonderful way. Creator’s Sabbath Do you suppose He rested because the six days’ labour had worn Him out,Continue reading “Creator’s Sabbath”
Numbering Days (After Marianne Moore’s “What are Years?”)
Today’s poem – my last one responding to Marianne Moore – is inspired by her great reflection on mortality and eternity, “What are Years?” It was the first of her poems that I ever read, back when I was studying poetry in the fourth year of my Literature degree, and I still remember the impactContinue reading “Numbering Days (After Marianne Moore’s “What are Years?”)”
Theology Part 4: Psalm
God, my love is vapour, my heart’s dust. I pass and fade like dew, like day; I tremble like the dawn. God, my all is empty, I have no grace to give my neighbour or give You. SoContinue reading “Theology Part 4: Psalm”
Theology Part 3: Pursuance
Go and do likewise; what you have seen, now do, and do with joy, and what you have heard once whispered in your ear, proclaim it from the rooftops; now shout the truth that rings in your ears; proclaim in word and deed and in the beat of your changed, now Continue reading “Theology Part 3: Pursuance”
Theology Part 2: Resolution
…love to one’s neighbour is not to be sung about – it is to be fulfilled in reality. Even if there were nothing else to hinder the poet from artistically celebrating love to one’s neighbour in song, it is quite enough that with invisible letters behind every word in Holy Scripture a disturbing notice confrontsContinue reading “Theology Part 2: Resolution”
Lines of Flight
No root, no trunk, no stem, only these weeds; No path to travel, only lines of flight. No start, no finish, unity or seed, Only these thoughts that twist and turn, alight. And when the course is twisted and the root Cannot be simplified, then who are we? We are creators and Creation’s fruit, WeContinue reading “Lines of Flight”
Theology Part 1: Acknowledgement
First of all, acknowledge Him; know that all good comes from Him. The sun, the moon are His lamp-shades, the sea His pool, the skies His chair. Health and growth and happiness: these are from Him; He made them. Relationships, prosperity: all good comes from Him. Rain to make the soil soft, sunlight so thatContinue reading “Theology Part 1: Acknowledgement”
The Consolations of Writing 