Monthly Archives: November 2022

“Much Madness is Divinest Sense” – Emily Dickinson

How much capital 'M' Madness must be displayed
before the sane ones bring out the chains?

Which graveyard where all the Gathered Ones 
gibber to each other does it make Sense to visit?

Where is the echo of the Voices of the prophets
sharing the Much forgotten wisdom of the Ages?

When will the Divinest light of the moon
shine upon the imperfect feet walking the ground?

Answers

There is great irony when the proclaimers 
of one way encounter many paths to the
mountaintop.  The shadowed slice of the moon
creates itself in our eyes.  Who can tell how phases
exist solely in relation to movement around the sun?
Atonement found on the cross can also be found
whenever you set off to forage in the wilderness
for something you lost on the day of your birth.
Awareness and light both have infinite gradations
so do not worry about being a perfect caretaker
to those in need of attention at all times.  Simply
promise to yourself upon stepping outdoors
to explore your own freedom, opening your arms
to the realm where answers seem less important.

How to Speak

Honor the mystery
by saying,
I don't know,
and watch
how the world
pays attention.

Say silently,
I will be what I will be,
and then go outside.
Extend your hand
to the first person you see
down on their knees.

Say nothing.
The ghostly moon
hangs in the night sky
regardless
of there being any watchers
on the ground.

Say something
because though
the earth will turn
without you
your words have never
been spoken before.

“Now God is God not of the dead, but of the living…” – Luke 20:38

God in whom we live and have our very being,
who enlivens all death,
who effortlessly turns the pages of the Book of Life,
who dances on graves,
and who says "Yes" to every "No,"
the leaves fall,
the ground hardens,
the buried rest
and we must go on living.
The earth continues to turn
and so many of those in the world
continue their death-dealing ways.
Dwell with us once again
so we may join you in your divine dance
holding hands with all of the ones
who have gone before us into your music.
Amen.

One Moonlit Night

When I first learned ecstasy could be found
on the other side of moonlight I thought of you.

Remember the rule of our love falling out of the sky?

Doing unto you.  Having done unto me. 
Both dropped away on that night
when even the cicadas ceased their chatter
to listen to the sounds of our passion.

Yes, there will always be those who would
build up rigid walls of dogma around
meaning and have God all to themselves.

We knew on that moonlit night long ago
the intention behind how the stars move
and, shivering, turned our distant gaze
within each other's eyes into a dance.

Walden Pond

Walden Pond still lies 
in the midst of the wilderness
for all those seeking
to be by themselves.
Daydreams are welcome.
Please leave all dogmas behind
and lean into important matters
with a heartfelt embrace.
Remember that rigidity 
resists the creative urge
of the world to become new.
Greet any adventure that makes
the distant things become 
less remote in your sight.
You will find any experiment of joy
justification enough
for your next breath.