The soil says that we are dust; In dust and soil we stand. A voice from in the wilderness Calls out, Prepare the way… In dust a child lays its head, In sawdust whittles wood And takes on ash and dust for us And washes in the sea. In ash and dust we wait forContinue reading “Lent 2: Thursday After Ash Wednesday”
Category Archives: Poetry
Lent 1: Ash Wednesday
Ash marks the face where the image was lost; dust marks the skin once shaped from it. Ash marks the doors to these bodies of dirt; grace marks the scars skinned upon it. Death marks the flesh once inspired by Life; Life pays the cost to respire it. Steps mark the knees bent upon themContinue reading “Lent 1: Ash Wednesday”
“Shriven” – Streaming Page CXVI Day 7
Today is Shrove Tuesday, a day simultaneously associated with pancakes and confession of sin. It is also the day before Lent begins, with Ash Wednesday’s focus on repentance: a day of feasting before the fast begins. Today’s song, the final track from Page CXVI’s “Lent to Maundy Thursday”, is a beautiful reflection on the loveContinue reading ““Shriven” – Streaming Page CXVI Day 7″
Catechism 9
What does God require in the first, second and third commandments? First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry and do not worship God improperly. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence, honoring also his Word and works. (New CityContinue reading “Catechism 9”
“Hosanna” – Streaming Page CXVI Day 6
Monday Before Lent Atrophied your knees, Weary your feet, Rusty the locks of the ancient gates – Prepare the way. Cry, Blessed is He! as He comes, To save, to rule, to save. Stagnant your hopes, Vacant your dreams, Silent and silenced the voice which cries – In the wilderness prepare the way! See, HeContinue reading ““Hosanna” – Streaming Page CXVI Day 6″
“Your hearts and minds, prepare them…” – Streaming Page CXVI Day 5
The moment in the Easter narrative that always captures my attention most powerfully is the story of Palm Sunday, of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, hailed as king yet his death from that moment assured. This is the theme of today’s Page CXVI song, the beautiful “This Blessed Day”, accompanied by my new poem forContinue reading ““Your hearts and minds, prepare them…” – Streaming Page CXVI Day 5″
An Absolutely Ordinary Poet
February now over, it is time to offer one final celebration of Les Murray’s poetry, before moving onto our next – and final – poet in the 12 Poets Project. Here is a short reflection on some of the qualities I value most in Murray’s work. I hope it is a fitting conclusion to ourContinue reading “An Absolutely Ordinary Poet”
“Fast from… Feast on…” – Streaming Page CXVI Day Four
When I was younger, comfortable in low-evangelical churches where Lent was not observed, the season and its observances always seemed a semi-Catholic imposition. Our school chaplain would wear purple and people gave up eating sugar. That was mostly all I knew about it. When I came slowly to understand its value, it came with theContinue reading ““Fast from… Feast on…” – Streaming Page CXVI Day Four”
“Were you there…?” – Streaming Page CXVI Day Three
Were you there when they crucified my Lord? None of us today can answer “yes”. Yet the truth and power of that moment is never diminished, how much time stretches between us and it. Today’s track from Page CXVI’s “Lent to Maundy Thursday” combines two old hymns: “Were You There?” and “O The Deep, Deep LoveContinue reading ““Were you there…?” – Streaming Page CXVI Day Three”
The Meaning of Flight
It is a little over a year since a family friend – only a few years older than me – took his life by jumping in front of a train. I wrote the poem “Silent Screams” in response to his death, and also dedicated my collection of poems, “Imperceptible Arms”, to his memory. It hasContinue reading “The Meaning of Flight”
The Consolations of Writing 