Category Archives: Poetry

Afternoon Flight

A willy wagtail, was it? Perhaps, but no time to check What Bird Is That? as it wags its way through lanes at lights, a truck here turning, there a foot compressing asphalt.                                           Yes, I have seen its tail – proud tuft of feathers – pluckily braving the afternoon rush, and seen it hover,Continue reading “Afternoon Flight”

Confessional Hymn, After Gavin Bryars’ “Cadman Requiem” (Cornucopia of Heaven)

  Confessional Hymn After Gavin Bryars, “Cadman Requiem”   We were not there when stars were flung wide, wide,     across the vast expanse. We were not there when hearts were knit,             when breath was breathed inside. We were not there when plans were made,             when laws      in hearts were broken. YetContinue reading “Confessional Hymn, After Gavin Bryars’ “Cadman Requiem” (Cornucopia of Heaven)”

Catechism 39

With what attitude should we pray? With love, perseverance, and gratefulness; in humble submission to God’s will, knowing that, for the sake of Christ, he always hears our prayers. (New City Catechism) And He does,      always: no unjust judge, unmindful of man, no stony indifference      when bread is required, no doors shut atContinue reading “Catechism 39”

Psalm: Creation (The Cornucopia of Heaven)

Psalm: Creation After Joseph Haydn, “Die Schöpfung: Erster Teil” Why all these bodies, and why should persons be able to communicate with each other? And why trees and earth and water and fire and wind and lions and lambs and lilies and birds and bread and wine? (John Piper, This Momentary Marriage)

Collects: Sparrows (After Knut Nystedt and Anathallo)

Collects: Sparrows After Knut Nystedt, “Prayers of Kierkegaard, Pt. 3: Great Are You, O God” and Anathallo, “Sparrows” I. When under the arch of heaven I stand surrounded by the wonders of creation, I rapturously and adoringly praise your greatness, you who lightly hold the stars in the infinite and concern yourself fatherly with theContinue reading “Collects: Sparrows (After Knut Nystedt and Anathallo)”

Psalm: Chorale (The Cornucopia of Heaven)

Early on Saturday morning, the fire brigade was called to my church – a 150-year-old heritage-listed building on the corner of one of Melbourne’s most iconic streets, and the building which my fiancée and I recently booked to celebrate our marriage. That day, the Bible reading my church family was looking at in our devotional timesContinue reading “Psalm: Chorale (The Cornucopia of Heaven)”

Catechism 38

What is prayer? Prayer is pouring out our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving. (New City Catechism) Sometimes with words, sometimes with hearts groaning, fists shaking, a silent rumble. Sometimes with hope, sometimes in anguish, with little to hold, save Prayer’s ladder. Sometimes with sight, sometimes desperate, aching, every breath,Continue reading “Catechism 38”

Psalm: Lilies (The Cornucopia of Heaven)

After Antonio Vivaldi, “Le Quattro Stagioni – La Primavera: II. Largo”  Creator God, whose praise and power are proclaimed by the whole creation: receive our morning prayers, we pray… (A Prayer Book for Australia) Consider         how the lilies open – Watch them enter     into light… Solomon in all his        splendour wasContinue reading “Psalm: Lilies (The Cornucopia of Heaven)”