Through cinnamon skies and ochre afternoons

where stillness reigns the day, and find

that all but trouble is welcome there,

let God speak.

In whispered whine of whippoorwills,

the tawdry tones of turtle songs,

the manic music made of nature’s hubris,

let God speak.

In Grandma’s flare for tasty treats

and children’s flare for eating them

their sticky, tie-dye candy rainbow teeth,

let God speak.

In Mother’s cautious, insistent drone

for teenage bravado of foolish boys

and chatty girls with nothing better to do,

let God speak.

In uncles, aunts and janitors,

whose stories tell of tales worth telling,

fostered in life’s mandibles,

let God speak.

In days that strike and nights that stain

with little pause for joy or cheer,

and time refuses to budge,

let God speak.

In sightless eyes still seeing more,

the pounding heart in fear or shame,

whose sleep is enemy and not friend,

let God speak.

Let God speak.

I’ve shared previously of my love for Christine Valters-Paintner’s wonderful website “Abbey of the Arts”: http://abbeyofthearts.com/

This poem represents my contribution to her latest Poetry Party. Come, join in the fun!

Shine, like the brightness of one’s forehead

Where things thought become things seen.

Shine, like the eyes of a child

Newly opened to a world of worlds.

Shine, like rays of heat

From the sidewalk of our common contentments.

Shine out like shook foil

As Hopkins reminds us.

Shine, like our righteousness at noonday

As the prophet reminds us.

Shine, where all else

Has refused such invitation.

Shine, until to shine

Is all that is either possible or necessary.

Shine, as the one before us

Shines.

The contemplative, Japanese poetic form of Haiku is one of many ways to seek inner solitude by way of simple, syllabic word constructions. They were designed to be composed and penned quickly, easily and deeply and then…tossed away like brittle leaves in an autumn breeze. There, they are caught by other breezes and float upward to God. The 5,7, 5 pattern is quite enjoyable and easy to learn. Try it and share some of your own.

I’m here to listen

To the beating heart of God

And hear the silence

Perfect in beauty

Shrouded in the mists of heav’n

You reign, exalted

Never ending one

See what no one else can see

Come, sweet intrusion

Come, save me, O God

Release me from my prison

That I might praise you

When separation

Comes to lonely, seeking souls

You share our longing

How can I untie

What knots of sin lie beneath-

That you, alone, see?

Guide with compassion,

Lead un-wholly hearts to cry

And, finally, see

Can you see them now

In suff’ring, never-ending?

Great One, release them

Never have I seen

The shining face of our God

So full of yearning