Poetry – Page 94 – The Consolations of Writing

Look Away

There are fires that burn where you cannot see them; There are screams that sound where you cannot hear; There are hearts that shout too far from earshot; There are guns that fire into the night. There are souls that drift and drift from eyesight; There are flags which burn and hands which fight; ThereContinue reading “Look Away”

Meditation

Firm still when I least feel you Wise still when I least know you Unchanged when I am changing Constant when I am fickle The light inside my shadow The rain in my cracked soil Fulfillment of all promises My Yes and my Amen My tower when I am underground My fortress when I amContinue reading “Meditation”

Epiphany

Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. (Isaiah 60:3) We do not have a star to guide us; Our best wisdom takes us through The desert and across vast plains But may not lead us here. Persia’s camels have forgotten the way; The calculations of Magi, The machinationsContinue reading “Epiphany”

Cluden (For Eliza Marsden Hassall, Missionary)

The world has many great houses and many great families and names. There are many whose legacies spread through the world, whose wealth and repute linger after them. But Miss Hassall once bought a house near a church in Old Sydney Town where she sowed many seeds into small hearts and those seeds grew andContinue reading “Cluden (For Eliza Marsden Hassall, Missionary)”

Foolish (For Gregory of Nanzianzus and Basil of Caesarea, Bishops and Teachers)

I had wasted much time on follies and spent nearly all of my youth in vain labours, and devotion to the teachings of a wisdom that God had made foolish. Suddenly, I awoke as out of a deep sleep. I beheld the wonderful light of the Gospel truth, and I recognised the nothingness of theContinue reading “Foolish (For Gregory of Nanzianzus and Basil of Caesarea, Bishops and Teachers)”

Above All Names (The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus)

Who is this child whom angels name, whose birth they sound with trumpets loud, who lies a baby, helpless in his parents’ hands and yet is praised by elders and the heavens’ choir? His name is Jesus, and He saves His people from their sins. Who are they, His people, that they should deserve suchContinue reading “Above All Names (The Naming and Circumcision of Jesus)”

The Invisible Church (For John Wycliffe, Teacher and Reformer)

While men grab for land and priests try to be kings And the Word of God sits, unopened, on shelves, As scholars debate and mystify truth And mouth after hungry mouth lingers, unfed, The Spirit still moves, in invisible ways, Calling and saving, protecting, preserving, Speaking to those who have ears to hear And sealingContinue reading “The Invisible Church (For John Wycliffe, Teacher and Reformer)”

The Streets (For Josephine Butler, Social Reformer)

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this,Continue reading “The Streets (For Josephine Butler, Social Reformer)”

Diadem (First Sunday After Christmas)

As a bridegroom prepares himself for his bride: Prepare your hearts; prepare the way. As a bride adorns herself with jewels: Know you will be made beautiful. As the earth shoots forth its bountiful fruit: You will be fertile with His joy. As a garden springs up with the seed that is sown: You whoContinue reading “Diadem (First Sunday After Christmas)”

Treason and Obedience (For Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr)

And those knights who approached the confused and disordered people who had been observing vespers but, by now, had run toward the lethal spectacle exclaimed in a rage: “Where is Thomas Becket, traitor of the king and kingdom?” No one responded and instantly they cried out more loudly, “Where is the archbishop?” Unshaken he repliedContinue reading “Treason and Obedience (For Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr)”