What words

What words can be used
to describe
a picture?

What drawings can be used
to describe
a hug?

What touch can be used
to describe
an aroma?

What smell can be used
to describe
a sound?

What tunes can be used
to describe
a feeling?

What emotions can be used
to describe
a meal?

What tastes can be used
to concoct
a sentence?

Where are you?

“The place God calls you to is where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet”
Frederick Buechner


Where are you?
Do you know?
Or is it hidden
in a haze of ambition, or drivenness?


Where are you?
Do you know?
Or is it hidden
as you strive to meet commitments
propelled along by outside compulsions


Where are you?
Do you know?
Or is it hidden
in the murky waters of busyness?


Where are you?
Do you know?
Or is it hidden
in the hunger you can’t identify?


Where are you?
Do you know?
Or is it hidden
because your eyes are closed?


Where are you?
Do you know?
Or is it hidden
waiting to be revealed?


Where are you?
Do you know?

Unique Signature

In the folds of clouds
In the drops of rains
In the autumn leaves

In the ocean wave
In the glistening sun
In the cry of birds

In the restful sleep
In relaxing walks
In the burst of energy

In the genesis of ideas
And the development of same
In the fulfilment of a plan

In the fingerprint
In the zebra’s stripe
In the life just new

Individual signs
Fascinating glimpses
Unique signatures

Dreams

Dreams transform
Moving eyelids to
A sleepy yawn

Desire

There is no desire
That is not desire
For a better life
Or a better world

Comparisons

Comparisons are odious
But all the same
They allow me to survive
Not just in name

They allow me to survive
In fact, to be revived
With my reputation intact
And others deprived

With my reputation intact
Or so I think
Without even realising
It is on the blink

Without even realising
I destroy someone’s mind
Comparisons are odious
Even at the best of times

Windy Day

Thoughts blown here and there

Gusts – full blown
Tears thoughts away
Disintegrates ideas

* * *

Calm – before the storm
Respite in life
Reflection overflows

* * *

Gentle stirring
Helps assuage
Fears that build

* * *

Dappled white of cloud
Belts across the blue
Divides or unites

* * *

Humid air closes in
Reinforces
Cloistered thoughts

* * *

Wind blows through
Freshens thinking
So life goes on

Scribbly Gum

Bent and twisted
What history do you hide
Of suffering and pain
Yet inward pride?

Your branches are strong
They’ve learnt to endure
They show great strength
Beliefs made pure

Are you a message to us
That despite setback and strife
If we bend into the wind
We can find life?

Gnarled and knotted
Your branches may be
But new shoots are growing
At the end of your tree

No matter what happens
I hope we can learn
Pain and scars will produce
A desire to yearn

O God of the sky
And God of the earth
Thru’ nature and friends
Give us all new birth

Being Whole

May God himself, the God of Peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thess 5:23 (NIV)


How do we become whole except by getting away
by watching the sun set
observing the waves roll in
forgetting time
being aware of space
allowing ideas and thoughts to flow?

Being alone is stimulating, moves the creative juices,
the quiet allows the brain to unwind, the ideas to flow,
the senses to be stimulated, the darkness to envelop.
Great things are possible.

And yet, and yet

How do we become whole except by being involved
by sharing our ideas
bouncing off other folk
being regulated
and sitting with the tension?

Being together is challenging, yet growth producing,
allows for tangents to develop & be considered in all areas
the grinding of differing opinions
shapes intent and promotes development.

The whole God knows this and more
& loves us even when we choose one over the other
& so fragment ourselves
rather than remaining whole

Ordinary Miracles

The taste of a nectarine;
autumn leaves;
shapes of clouds;
the feeling of love;
dolphins frolicking;
a hug from a friend;
shape of a seashell;
the birth of a baby;
rippling muscles;
waves rolling in from the ocean;
the warmth of the sun;
galleries of pink galahs;
a home cooked meal;
fragrance of a rose;
refreshing rain;
river red gums;
twinkling stars;
an athlete at full stretch;
roses in bloom.

Enjoy an ordinary miracle today.

Cold Anger

Cold anger chills your soul
Don’t let it destroy you
Cold anger drives you away
Isolates
Ostracises
Deadens
Saddens
Relationships are choked
Enthusiasm wanes

Cold anger is the province
Of the older brother*
Righteous
Correct
Holy
Good
Celebration is wrong
When I have done good

Cold anger hurts too many
Scares them away
Frightens
Scolds
Quiet or loud
Cold anger kills your soul

To Be Holy Is To Be Real

I speak a word
It bounces back
or is absorbed into the
relationship.
I write a line
It is scrubbed out
or resonates with ideas
in my mind.
I observe a tree
The leaves move me
as they are moved
by the wind.
I hear the cry,
The whistle, the laugh,
and the birds remind me of
diversity.
I touch the wood,
dead, solid, firm
a purpose served.
And I realise the holy is to be found in the everyday.

To be holy is to be real.

Becoming Aware

Encapsulated
By the poles of the tent
Multi-coloured
The sunrise gives vent
To the glory of God

Invigorating
Is the fresh ocean breeze
Stimulating
The swaying of tall forest trees
To the glory of God

Resonating
In the echo of the valley
Tuneful songs
Of birds who dilly-dally
To the glory of God

Encompassing
The power of the waves
Intriguing
The shapes of the caves
To the glory of God

Fascinating
The flight of the bees
Mesmerising
Nature gives us the keys
To the glory of God