Poetry – Page 67 – The Consolations of Writing

Lent 9: Thursday of First Week

And He commands: the wind obeys, the pigs all plunge in the sea; the waves subside, the demons cry; our hearts are full of questions. Who is this man that He commands the wind, the seas and demons? Follow where His boat will lead; follow into His kingdom.

Lent 8: Wednesday of First Week

Roots grow deep in rich or sickened soil; Trees bear fruit to turn their insides out. Many come with leaves which win, beguile: Look again when fruit’s season arrives… Plant yourself in soil, rich and deep; Watch the good fruit burst forth from your stems. Do not let gloss or sheenContinue reading “Lent 8: Wednesday of First Week”

Now I tell you (After Rowan Williams’ “Great Sabbath”)

Well, it’s high time that I got down to sharing with you some of the quite extraordinary poetry of former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. When Williams became Archbishop, many were unsure of his theology or what he stood for in his faith. Yet read his poetry and you see that, at heart, he isContinue reading “Now I tell you (After Rowan Williams’ “Great Sabbath”)”

Lent 7: Tuesday of First Week

Our Father – we are made of clay – Our Father – in heaven – in hearts – in Heaven to hearts, our Father who art in heaven – Hallowed be Your name – we pray, Your name we pray, your kingdom come, your will be done – we pray your name, your will. OContinue reading “Lent 7: Tuesday of First Week”

Length of Days: 40 Poems for Lent – Available on Kindle

I’m pleased to announce that you can now purchase my sequence of Lent poems, “Length of Days: 40 Poems for Lent”, from the Amazon Kindle store. The book is the result of one of my first major poetry writing projects back in 2012, when I set myself the task of writing a poem a dayContinue reading “Length of Days: 40 Poems for Lent – Available on Kindle”

Lent 6: Monday of First Week

Now grace topsy-turvies the world: Mountain-top-truths speak to violent hearts Declaring the way which turns cheek to foe And blesses the poor in spirit, the meek, The hungry, the thirsty, the peaceful, the weak. Blessed are you: words strangely fitted, A garment much brighter than all its surrounds. A whisper of pain, aContinue reading “Lent 6: Monday of First Week”

Lent 5: First Sunday of Lent

So bones, built to follow, ache When trapped inside guilt’s cave. Tongues, carved to praise, grow numb When, dry and thick with sin, they lie in silence. And hearts, taught to turn upwards in trust, Grow ashen when no light has space to shine. Open, heart. Untangle, tongue. Bones, rejoice. Redemption lightContinue reading “Lent 5: First Sunday of Lent”

Catechism 10

What does God require in the fourth and fifth commandments? Fourth, that on the Sabbath day we spend time in public and private worship of God, rest from routine employment, serve the Lord and others, and so anticipate the eternal Sabbath. Fifth, that we love andContinue reading “Catechism 10”

Lent 4: Saturday After Ash Wednesday

Elemental, yet controlling element – He who shapes dust also sweeps the seas, surveys their tides, searches land and sea, eyes attuned to every wave, scanning hearts and scouring minds, seeking men like fish. And then His hook goes out: Follow me. Can men defy the voice which once made light to be and knowsContinue reading “Lent 4: Saturday After Ash Wednesday”

Lent 3: Friday After Ash Wednesday

Grain’s sown in soil to make us bread; Man shall not live by bread alone. The kingdoms of the earth are dust; The Son of Heaven left His throne. Our bones are brittle and will break; All of your bones will stay in place. The earth has cliffs to claim ourContinue reading “Lent 3: Friday After Ash Wednesday”