Light a Candle With Me?

Will you light a candle with me today? A year ago, the U.S. capital was under attack in a brutal way. Through my eyes, what I saw as I watched the news was hate erupting, indignation and an attempt at a takeover. I won’t say that it didn’t scare me. It did. From my perspective, everything in the U.S. feels very polarized these days. You’re either on “this” side or “that” side. You either wear a mask, or you don’t. You either are “for” vaccination or you are against it. I read the letters sent in to the editor every…

Creative Advent: Peaceful Gaze

Before the magnificat,the singing of praisethe hallelujah of incarnation,Mary & Elizabeth sip teain the quiet afternoon,affable words wovenwith the warm presence of golden lanternbetween the trial of their lives.As their weight grows,they speak from their heartnot of the past, ratherof the miracle coming. After the embrace,the greeting –the leaping in the womb,Mary and Elizabeth,young maiden and elder cronerest into ease as sacred friends,a silent understanding heldas their gaze falls onto the glow of creation,the holy blaze between them.As they watch and wait,they wear their sitting shawl, a blanket of possibility for all. In the gray space ofbefore and after, the…

A Peaceful Revolution

Side by side, we sing a heartfelt “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me” as insides stir with anxiety, our spoken words, curt. Living peace is a challenge. We desire the golden ticket placed gently in our hands:“Do this, then do this, then this, and you will live a life of peace.” We all know this isn’t the way it goes down. I went to a sweet, mid-week church service not long ago and a couple was joyful to announce their “good deed” completed for those in attendance. When it came time for giving the…

Let Beauty Nap in Your Lap

I hear you. You are tired. Worn out from this and that, a dire need for vibrancy Today, I urge you with this simple task: let beauty nap in your lap I know, I know you are quite busy with big plans, talkfests, running to and fro, but if you take a stand to sit, If you take a stand to be IF you take a stand to still and allow the wings of a pigeon dove to shield you with mercy, well then You may find yourself falling in love with the insignificant You may find yourself dreaming something…

Nurturing the (Soul, soul)

Often, we attempt to nurture the self. But, the self isn’t the same as the soul. I’ve been considering this quite a bit lately. Here is a poem that arose from from my reflections. Soul, soul. I hadn’t seen her in some time, as she loved her secret space. When she peaked her presence, I delighted. In short order, I took control of her needs. I bought her a Starbucks latte and a new red handbag, but she didn’t seem impressed. I fed her fancy chocolates and poured her a glass of wine. She smiled a bit, but still, something…