My Summer in Other Languages project for 2022 is now over. I didn't do much, basically just reading one book in French ... but every little bit helps. I'd really like to get back to working on German now. I've actually been quite surprised and pleased that my conversational skills seem to have improved quite … Continue reading A poem in translation: The Rockface by Conrad Ferdinand Meyer
Some years ago I spent an Advent season studying the stories of people who were raised from the dead in the New Testament. All the healing stories raise so many questions for me -- I want to know more about the background of these special individuals, and what their experience might have been. I ended … Continue reading Talitha Koum: A Poem
The images in this poem were inspired by Goethe's "Fairy Tale of the Green Snake and the Beautiful Lily," a mysterious story with great archetypal resonance. I can't think of a better way to celebrate Mother's Day than to ponder such mysteries -- nothing is more wondrous than the power to gestate, bear and bring … Continue reading Mother: A Poem
Tradition links the rich young man who asks what he must do to attain eternal life with Lazarus of Bethany, who is raised from the dead by Jesus -- his final act before taking the path to Jerusalem and the cross. I wrote this poem after wondering for some time about how those two could … Continue reading What the rich young man said – a poem
Here's a poem I felt like sharing with you today. It was written after some meditative time spent with a geode (shown in photo) that sits nearby on my bookshelf as I write. In real life it's quite small, only about two and a half inches in diameter, but I love the sparkling world that … Continue reading Geode – a poem
O see the sunAt midnight's toll;Set stone on stoneIn barren soil.Earth turns toward darkness now,And death seems all our fate --Yet every end knows howBeginning lies in wait. Above shall ring the songOf love's eternal birth;Below, build safe and strongA home for peace on earth.The sun's sure glowIn deepest nightWeaves through our woeDivine delight. (A … Continue reading Christmas
As I've continued with my project of reading the Bible in one year, the program I'm using doesn't necessarily go through the Old Testament in order. Occasionally it breaks the sequence to skip to a later book, before returning to the traditional list. After many, many books about the kings of Israel and their misdeeds … Continue reading A journey with Jonah, with a poem
I appreciate the work of John Fox, who connects poetry writing, self development, and soul healing. His books are full of inspiring stories, example poems, and writing exercises, along with lots of quotations from poets and other artists. They encourage me to stop worrying about being good or correct, and just enjoy messing around with … Continue reading we cover up the roots: a poem
Written in a time of transition a few years ago, this poem may not have have much literary value, but the process of working it out was valuable for me. The Greek krisis means turning point, as in the decisive moment of a disease leading to either recovery or death. I decided to take that … Continue reading Crisis: a poem
Continuing with the theme from my previous post, here is a poem about that most wonderful, challenging adventure of living and loving together. Marriage It’s not all flowers and Valentines, Nor kisses and endearing words, Not after the first few rosy years When the freshness has worn off. It’s having our four feet planted On … Continue reading Marriage – a poem
