Safe – like the hills’ fortifications, whelmed by the wind but not moved, not shaken; firm as rock, firm as covenant, grounded in Christ’s almighty core; stern as mountain, sure as sunrise, safe as heaven, safe.
Category Archives: Poetry
Fulfilment
He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. (Psalm 136:23) The esteem of love which esteems greatly, sacrifices all for the receipt of nothing, and gives self when Self is notContinue reading “Fulfilment”
The Fig-Tree and the Worm
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”
Disembarking: A Terminal Sonnet
Bad coffee drunk at airport terminal’s Faint consolation for delays in flight, When failing air-con gives pilots a fright, And back we go to slow departure halls, Disembarking and delayed. It’s small – A First World problem, as they say; tonight I should still be in Queensland: when all’s right With aircraft safety, we’ll stillContinue reading “Disembarking: A Terminal Sonnet”
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
Immanence
What churches, prisons, feudal pyramids Possess in common is Authority. Only the state’s power, not the State, exists, And power is exchanged through you and me. Our eyes, transfixed by prison walls, confuse The institution with the power it holds Mixing correct use up with the abuse And sovereign love with the despot who scolds.Continue reading “Immanence”
Marianne Moore: The Poet Who Disliked Poetry
Coming unbelievably to the end of another month, it is time for me to draw to a close my study of Marianne Moore’s work. To finish it off, here is an essay I have written on her poetry – a rich and fascinating body of work which I often do not understand but am alwaysContinue reading “Marianne Moore: The Poet Who Disliked Poetry”
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?”)”
The Consolations of Writing 