pum da pum da bum da pum dancing with Bintou balaphones booming dark arms beating out rhythms and tones Bintou’s feet move shuff-ta-shuff-ta shoulders turn to face the fire then swerve to bow to the velvet night my foreign feet try to follow her beat for graceful beat then flip into high gear suddenly whirringContinue reading “The Dance of Worship”
Tag Archives: poetry
Navigating the Flash Flood
What had been just a ribbon of sludge across the road on the way to the village is now a mass of watery mud covering the road between the bushes. Are we blocked? Is it now too deep? Should we try to carefully creep ahead? What if we sink in a ditch instead? A motorcycleContinue reading “Navigating the Flash Flood”
Waiting
I’m running toward goals, panting as the marathon takes on new twists and turns. I thought it would be a straight run, one goal in sight, but now it seems I need to run four roads at once, keeping close track of miles run, things done. I’m not sitting back! I’m moving ahead with purpose,Continue reading “Waiting”
Hurting Humans Have His Heart
Bulbul songs in syncopation, dove moans sifting down from trees, coucal riffs descending, rhyming, roosters greeting dawn with glee, I’m surrounded by the music harmonies of melodies. In it all I find I’m waiting for the One who talks to me. While I’m waiting, here comes stillness, then a distant toddler’s shout and the noiseContinue reading “Hurting Humans Have His Heart”
Hand in Hand with God
When the Creator was planning things out, way back when, before, before, he carefully thought about Dad’s hands. He knew that he would make them strong, with long deft fingers, able to hold onto God’s own hand while staying busy doing the work he would give him to do. He watched him grow up inContinue reading “Hand in Hand with God”
Your Promptings
Heart open to you, Jesus, I wait in silence. The bulbul lauds you, the bees harmonize, setting leaves to quivering as they light and leave. A shiver is enough to let me know you are here, touching the deep fabric of who I am, and who you want me to be. Just like the softContinue reading “Your Promptings”
The Wall of Fog
Fog has painted a wall between forest and all that’s beyond. Thick white obscures all lines. There is no lake, no forested shore across those waters. What lies beyond is blurred, hidden. Looking up we see yet more white; there is no sky. But we know that it is there. I am reminded: we can’tContinue reading “The Wall of Fog”
His Good Hand
His good hand sustains me, lovingly shading me daily, cupping my soul and holding me, his Spirit breeze moving gently, directing me into the paths of his choosing. He never gets tired, he never gives up on me, sheltering me from burning heat, shielding me from poisoned darts, grabbing my hand when I stumble soContinue reading “His Good Hand”
Just Cling!
Just cling, cells interlocked, bark intact, and let the sap flow slowly but surely through winter frost, tingling gently, keeping you alive, vibrantly pouring when summer sun saturates the world with heat, a constant feeding in the sleep of night. Rest, but cling. Just cling, small one, drinking from my veins, and you will turnContinue reading “Just Cling!”
That Moment of Connection
That robin hopped onto the deck, carefully checking out the territory. He looked at me through the window; I looked back, silent, immobile. We connected for one moment, then he was gone. But that instant of connection made this forest personal, alive. When have I linked eyes with a stranger, affirming their existence, making ourContinue reading “That Moment of Connection”
Linnea's Lines 