Who is God? God is the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything. He is eternal, infinite, and unchanging in his power and perfection, goodness and glory, wisdom, justice and truth. Nothing happens except through him and by his will. (New City Catechism) Sufficient, self-giving, Never without, Always unchanging, Free and enough. Contented, completed, NeverContinue reading “Catechism 2”
Category Archives: Poetry
Childhood (After Peter Steele’s “Star Man”)
For those who follow the church calendar, we are now in the season of Epiphany, the brief time between Christmas and Lent. Peter Steele’s cycle of poems “Rounding a Year”, deals nicely with this season, especially the strange in-between period where Jesus has been born but is not yet approaching the Cross. I’ve used today’sContinue reading “Childhood (After Peter Steele’s “Star Man”)”
Catechism 1
What is our only hope in life and death? That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Saviour Jesus Christ. (New City Catechism) Not my own; what then? Within this case, these bones, this skin, World seen through these squinting eyes, HeartContinue reading “Catechism 1”
Epiphany (After Peter Steele’s “Madonna and Child”)
Tomorrow is Epiphany Sunday, and so I’ve chosen to begin my month of looking at Peter Steele’s poetry with this response to his poem “Madonna and Child”. Steele’s poem is an ekphrastic poem, meaning that it has come “out of” another art work, Justin O’Brien’s intriguing “Madonna and Child” (image from http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/8730/). I’ve followed Steele’sContinue reading “Epiphany (After Peter Steele’s “Madonna and Child”)”
Exultavit cor meum (1 Samuel 2:1-10)
Did she walk away singing, joy in heart? The knowledge sang within her, of the Rock From whom all water flowed, and this exchange In fortunes – rich brought low and poor made high. Yet richest gifts demand the largest part; Though free, as she went home, from those who’d mock, Such height, such grace,Continue reading “Exultavit cor meum (1 Samuel 2:1-10)”
12 Poets #10: Peter Steele
Well, the new year is here and it is time for a new poet. This month is very personally significant for me. Peter Steel SJ was an Australian poet and academic who taught me poetry in my fourth year of Literature at the University of Melbourne and had a deep influence upon my love ofContinue reading “12 Poets #10: Peter Steele”
Thanksgiving
This year I wrote a poem for my birthday called “Thanksgiving“, based around Psalm 116. In response to a request from one of my readers, I ended up setting the poem to music and recently recorded it with my friend Dave doing vocals. On this second last day of the year it seems a fittingContinue reading “Thanksgiving”
Faith
Your tenacious grip holds as it teaches loves as it reaches & renders all new. Your covenant grace deep into history manifold mystery never lets go.
Earth’s Carol (After Luci Shaw’s “Some Christmas Stars”)
One final poem for Advent, this one inspired by Luci Shaw’s “Some Christmas Stars“. Merry Christmas everyone. May it be a blessed time remembering the wonder of God made flesh. Earth’s Carol The stars make songs in silent sway, The roosters wait for newborn day, And I in brokenness make way To sing the songsContinue reading “Earth’s Carol (After Luci Shaw’s “Some Christmas Stars”)”
Descend, Ascend (After Luci Shaw’s “Made Flesh”)
As Advent draws frighteningly close to its festive conclusion, it’s time to catch up on the December poems for my 12 Poets Project. Today we enter another of Luci Shaw’s reflections on the Christmas story, the beautiful “Made Flesh” which was the inspiration for my next poem. Descend, Ascend (After Luci Shaw’s “Made Flesh”) Now,Continue reading “Descend, Ascend (After Luci Shaw’s “Made Flesh”)”
The Consolations of Writing 