Pentecost

When you left us

I saw how the clouds parted,

rent curtains,

as you cleared earth’s

drossy smear,

and passed into a heaven

bright beyond

our wildest imagining.

Bereft, fearful, we

shut tight the door

against wolves’ howling

and waited for you

to keep your promise.

At first it was a whisper,

the sea-ward wind

prying loose our

weak walls,

but soon the song rose, until

its power overwhelmed us

with chords of faith,

and, afire at last,

we spoke!

Out of the Silence

“Out of the silence, Light is spoken.” Thomas Merton

I walk

into the morning.

Birds

drowse

in the dark,

unseen breeze

strokes my 

arms, my bare neck,

as egrets

over the edge

of the meadow

rise

as the Holy Spirit

moans

in tones

of morning light.

(17 July 2012)

Ordination

“What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.”  Thomas Merton

+

deep in this cathedral

love resounds

through the bright air

of paradise

love rebounds

playful, full of

prayer.

Oh, hear the organ’s

profundo ring
laughter

as love pierces

your living heart

as, prostrate,

love breaks open

your breathless soul.

(18 November 2013 on the ordination of my brother)