Leafless branches litter the wet earth in the aftermath of the storm. It came suddenly out of the north with a powerful wind that whipped through the trees and cleaned them out. Cobwebs are gone.The dead weight of lifeless woodwas lifted away and the tree is free,stretching up toward sky and sun.Spirit-wind, breath of God,sometimesContinue reading “Pruned by the Wind”
Tag Archives: Africa
Call for Urgent Care
Your body, Lord, needs urgent care! Right hand fights against its own left hand. Ears hear different music, east and west. Eyes are bloodshot, crossed and blurred, seeing only what each wants to see. Lungs breathe in polluted air whose fumes push out the Spirit. Legs crossed, the veins bulge, blocked;feet stay firmly rooted, passionContinue reading “Call for Urgent Care”
Tangible Intangibles
to grasp the love that cannot be held to know the love that cannot be known to be rooted in love that sent God’ Chosen to die by torture yes, even this is possible although incomprehensibleeven this can be accomplished although never finishedeven this will be my goal although it hangs on things yet unseenIContinue reading “Tangible Intangibles”
The Cleansing
I stand in the wind while it whips along, plastering my body with fine dust, the powdered aftermath of life and death and thirsty earth.Deadwood and seedpodshit the roof, my legs. Birds of prey swoop overheadlooking for the innocent,uncovered, to devour.O Wind of God,protect your own.Hover over, cover us.Breath of Life, strengthen us.Heart of Sun,Continue reading “The Cleansing”
Within the Forward Push of Time
minutes tick away turn into hours then days and silently within the forward push of time blossoms become tiny bulbs hidden baby mangoes soak in sun and sap swelling as the weeks slip by even without rain strips of clouds float northwardwhile we wait for dark onesto splash respitesomeday they will come somedayour Lord isContinue reading “Within the Forward Push of Time”
Just What We Need
When our hands are empty, fill them up, we pray— not too much, not too hearty a ration, or we may topple and then fall.You set the table in desert landsas well as on mountaintops.We need you!When poverty strips awayour access to foodit’s you we call!And you come, Father, to your kidsand feed them withContinue reading “Just What We Need”
Gentle in the Storm
In the middle of this whirlwind may gentleness become the strong, long root that fixes me to what is true, that calls to othersto come to youto find that inner confidence,that deep ironic peace,that stands against the gale.Only you, living in me, can takemy frail impotency andempower it to healwhen all aroundinjustice rules and wipesContinue reading “Gentle in the Storm”
The Gift of this Gray Day
Rain slips through the forest while birch leaves whisper and earth drinks in sustenance. God made this day too! Gray skies absorb the sunshine to share mild light with the calm white lake. The rusty leaf carpeton the forest floorsips blessing as it diesand younger leaves yellowthen swirl gracefully downlike silent charmsto nest and restContinue reading “The Gift of this Gray Day”
Right Through to the Heart
It’s the Word that cuts right through to the quick to the heart of the matter through tough scar tissue and cataract blindness so thatsuddenly the light shines inhealing abscessed recesseswaking somnolent brain cellspouring nourishment into the souland thenexclamations of awerecognition of truthdelight in the intricate planwith its certainty of rescuewhen heardfor the very firstContinue reading “Right Through to the Heart”
Like a Weaned Child
Your heartbeat spins the galaxies and pats my back to calm me. You are so good, and true, and I am loved by you. Compassion is the constantinstantoutflow of your heartin perfect syncwith wisdom,beyond myopic sight.I’m nesting here,the shufflinghush ofangel wings subduing other sound.This quietwithout answersis the peace that heals my wound.And yet your WordhangsContinue reading “Like a Weaned Child”
Linnea's Lines 