Joy Is a Golden-crowned Sparrow
Birds are visual reminders of the faithfulness and tender care of God.
The Taste of Jujubes is the Sound of Jubilee
Bearing fruit is work; blooming takes time; does a red date grow up; just to wrinkle in the hot Asian sun?
Flawless Tender Bloom of Reconciliation
The original Plan—perfect but rejected. Sending hope cascading like a slinky toy down a staircase, coiling, tumbling, coiling, tumbling landing in a tangled heap. The same Plan—a different approach set into motion, to reclaim, and restore hope, unfurling it from earth to far beyond the stars. Unfolding, revealing year after year, a tender plant, growing…
God & Money: A Prayer
I pray for the Good News of open palms and outstretched fingers, especially for hands exhausted from grasping and grip.
The Mystery of Prayer
I believe in prayer. I say often that “the work of God is done on our knees—then we go find out what happened.” Yet to me prayer remains such a mystery. How in the world could the most high God who created it all invite me to talk with him, to make requests, to ask…
Breathing in the Possibilities
Darkness, and then eyes open Inhale deep Eyes close, exhale Inspiration – a curious thing – Prolonging life; Creating space and time for what will happen Before, between, and after each breath. Wondrous imagination, Before the day even begins Breathe in – Breathe out Seeing the dew drops on the grass The dusky purples and…
Cabin Fever Compels Me to Bike to the Anacostia River
Today I’m an astronaut. I need to shuttle beyond the orbit of my block. I launch east from my home planet: turning left, then right. I cycle through a few green lights, making sure to stop by the house with a train-shaped Little Free Library. Trains also travel to car-free universes. I discover a Golden…
Risotto
Today I stand at the counter Chopping an onion with my favorite knife An ordinary act hardly worth noting But today I note it I chop onion Add butter Pour wine And ease slowly into the luxury of stirring a meal For the people I love Savoring not the aroma of melding onions and wine…
Cracked Viola
Entrapped by cold concrete, beauty unnoticed between back-to-school walkers, dog sniffers, after dinner strollers. Protected by a crack, fending off frost, courageous late bloomer. Could we be like you? Shining our summer colors when least expected? Hiding our seeds in safe places? Creating while waiting on winter to wane? Awakened by April snows – showing…
From the Editor
Dear Readers, William Wordsworth once said, “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.” Even though spring is bursting with new life, evoking powerful feelings, it has a tranquility about it as well. Doesn’t spring just inspire poetry in your heart? Songs, poems, spoken word pieces….
Soul Strong
That day I turned around, and life had flown… Whilst chasing dreams and children; Both stumbling and soaring in the search for holy significance. Compassionately rescued from despair; Gifted with a grace that accepts and extends; Encouraged and loved. Discovering serenity in silence, and strength in surrender. Filled, then poured out. Heart broken, then mended….
The White-Haired Mexican Plum Tree is a Sign for Good
the white-haired Mexican plum tree is a sign for good brave blue flower in the stiff wind is a sign for good children playing unselfconsciously is a sign for good spirit taking the trees by their tops and shaking them is a sign for good you have to hang on to your signs while…
Swim Lessons
For Ellis Kennedy, 4 years old I promised him yesterday That the water would hold him up, But he curled inward and snatched For my hands underneath him And dropped from the surface, Instantly heavy. I coaxed him to ear-depth And we blew bubbles, Eyes on each other. There would be no proof Unless he…