I usually sleep straight through the night. This is a grace, I know, And I am thankful for the blessing. To readers with restless legs and insomnia: I’m sorry. But a few night ago I was startled awake. I looked around frantic, Trying to determine what had shocked me alert. Half-awake, I roughly brushed myContinueContinue reading “Advent Sunday #1”
Tag Archives: poetry
My SIL says
“Lean into the Holy Spirit,” she says, over coffee, My sister-in-law of the flawless style. She’s the kind of woman who says things and you want to listen– Because of what? Compassion? Wisdom? A will to hard-love, if necessary? Yes, yes to these and more. Because she buys me gluten-free baked goods sometimes, too. “WhatContinueContinue reading “My SIL says”
La luna nublada
I was asked to share, at a meeting, what my experience in Philadelphia was like. So I wrote these jumbled words. Enjoy. ============================================================= The moment that sticks with me Is the moment, under the clouded moon, where they wouldn’t let me in to the gated-off city center, so instead I stood, shivering/ stranded/ crestfallen inContinueContinue reading “La luna nublada”
Nehemiah was cup-bearer to the King.
Sometimes, on some days, I drive my car un-mapped through the city; I weave through Detroit free of any direction except for the basic understanding of north-south-east-west. Yesterday was one of those days. The air was mild, the sky clear, And I drove with my windows down and my arm out-stretched and my hair blowingContinueContinue reading “Nehemiah was cup-bearer to the King.”
On flowers and summer and Detroit
I wish the frigid, promised kiss of winter didn’t accompany the sun of these late-summer days Because then I could just open my arms unconditionally to the golden, warm haze of these too-short afternoons. Today I got off of work, carrying a basket of supplies to my far-parked car. I smiled at the blue sky,ContinueContinue reading “On flowers and summer and Detroit”
Sides of Love
When I pulled into the driveway yesterday, I noticed that someone had taped a large, long sign Over the picture window in our living room. The sign was in three colors, Congratulating my youngest brother For completing his first day of new training. I greeted him when he came home, tired but happy. He smiledContinueContinue reading “Sides of Love”
A mad jumble of life
On Monday I held a baby and her mom said, “If you sing a song, she’ll sing, too,” even though the baby is too young for words (or even, probably, coherent thought). So I sang a song from Broadway’s “Peter Pan,” and the mom said, “I think you need to sing a song she knows,ContinueContinue reading “A mad jumble of life”
The PIT of H—
The grandmother of A half-dozen afro-American children Who were in my art class Emphasized a point like this, “That is a lie,” (and then she would verbally italicize each word) “From the pit of Hell.” I found the phrase both Pointed and slightly humorous, As I do now, But I slipped it into my vocabularyContinueContinue reading “The PIT of H—”
Someone asked me what I wanted
That one friend asked me what I wanted and I said I didn’t know and he got awful fired up, “OH MY GOSH,” he said, with his exasperated-voice, “Go and figure out what you want.” So…I started. I want time for prayer. I want time in nature. I want slow days and beautiful, unwinding adventure.ContinueContinue reading “Someone asked me what I wanted”
Holy Week Things
So. It’s Holy Week. On Sunday I leaned Against the dark-stained pew, Eyes closed, Reciting the sacred story With the faithful. There was a gold-gilt cross in the sanctuary, My favorite Lenten hymn, And moms standing with cameras When I walked in, Photographing their children altar-servers. Holy Week is so many things, So many experiences.ContinueContinue reading “Holy Week Things”
Seashell Nell 