Category Archives: poetry
Now I See
When I move, I see things differently.
When I’m still, I see movement differently.
When I love, I see both clearly.
Be still, my love, and know that I am God.
There is no such thing as an innocent bystander
Standing by.
It seems such an innocent thing.
To watch and not take part.
To hover and see who wins
Then, unknown to my innards
To jockey for good position
In order to see how all this comes out.
Spectating.
Not rooting for or pulling against,
Just waiting for it all to pass by.
To blow over, really,
I’m above all this;
Never stoop to this sort of thing.
It will be over soon, I tell myself.
Then I feel a tug at my garment –
A pull on my conscience –
And suddenly, there I am
at the center of the fracas:
Beaten and bruised,
Battered and bloodied.
Standing. still.
Not by. with.
Guilty.
This is not blowing over for these.
Then neither is it for us.
May it be said, “She has done what she could.” (Mark 14:8)
There is no such thing as an innocent bystander.
Mothering Nature
Why wouldn’t she?
Build her nest there
Under cover
Nestled behind
Safe from harm?
Why wouldn’t she?
Trust her pair of eggs
To its softness
Smooth and deep
Hidden from view?
Why wouldn’t she?
Sit upon them
Warm and waiting
For their hatching
Into the new day?
All was quiet
All was still
All was perfect
All, until
We came storming,
unannounced
Into her nursery
On our front porch.
Poor Mom Sparrow,
Stared in fear
As two puppies
Saw her there.
No sweet talking
Could keep her home
Off she flew
to save her own.
No more safety
No more rest
No little hatchlings
Would leave this nest.
Mother Sparrow,
please forgive me
Come again
to build your nest.
We can share this sacred bounty,
Quiet shelter, perfect rest.
