Tree and Sunset

photograph courtesy of Sonja Bingen

"A tree gives glory to God first of all by being a tree. For in being what God means it to be, it is imitating an idea which is in God and which is not distinct from the essence of God, and therefore a tree imitates God by being a tree."  Thomas Merton

Oh, learn from the trees,

that through cold days' rush

endure, from hope to hope,

and embrace

evening's blush.

See how the faithful jay 

flits from branch to 

barren branch, 

and sings of 

summer's lost day.

For all trees believe 

in summer's heat, 

though icy winds may strip 

their tender leaves.

They know that change 

is always the  same, 

until

some long winter hence

they'll fall, by vicious storm slain,

and grateful life will

quietly end.

Originally published on December 10, 2011

Foggy Road

Foggy Road, painting by Tim Mullaney

“...unity in love is one of the most characteristic works of the inner self, so that paradoxically the inner “I” is not only isolated but at the same time united with others on a higher plane, which is in fact the plane of spiritual solitude.”  Thomas Merton, The Inner Experience: Notes on Contemplation

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in fog we walk

down the glistening road

our steps ring

like ice shattering

crystal souls, shards

sharp and eager

at last,

to rise.

You look

into my eyes

and see

nothing;

I look

into your eyes

and see

everything,

as together

we walk

down the shimmering

road.