Spread ‘You spread your table before me…’ As the sun spreads its warmth on the sleeping land— As the crocus spreads her petals— As the maples unfurl their leaves— As the white pine flings its yellow pollen. . . As the bees forage far and wide...
Soap Is there anything on earth less poetical than soap? I wonder— as I stare at the lumpy white blob in its pool of scum. How many times a day do I lather my hands counting or singing or playing mind games to stretch the ritual for the appointed...
Today was partly cloudy and warmer, temperatures in the mid to high 50s — and we’re expecting more rain starting tonight and heading into next week– so I decided to take the house-bound kids on a nature hike that I’d been...
Patient Be patient as the pines are patient perching on the headland, staring over the sea at the white sails. The birds fly away, the boats sail away, the waves draw away and away and away leaving the pines behind. They lift their silent arms and...
Fever It’s June and the wild roses are in bloom. Amid the proliferation of green their petals glow white after yet another rainstorm has passed. And I am bone tired after keeping all night vigil with my youngest child in the emergency room. As...
Curve The shell curves in on itself, spiraling deeper and deeper into its own secret recesses, smaller and smaller sanctuaries. If you could crawl inside, retreat into the inner darkness, what would you find in the still heart? A haven? Childhood...
Calm Was she calm when the messenger appeared? And did he arrive in a whispering breeze or in a sudden roar as of flame? Reassuring her there was nothing to be feared. In Blessed Angelico’s painting she bows her head calmly enough, arms crossed...
The orange plastic pumpkin holds the child’s Halloween hoard. Sticky Starbursts and unwanted lollypops. Still. After Christmas candies have come and gone, Candy canes and hollow Santa losing his head. Will they still be here after chocolate...
Sing Since Love is Lord of heaven and earth, How can I keep from singing? Sing me a song that is pure as the breeze… Sing to the Lord, God’s chosen ones. Sing him a song that is new. Zion sing, break into song. Sing a song of sixpence. In the dark...
