Words From A Desert Heart

Mary and Martha   went on a walk.Jesus was gone,   the kitchen was clean,      the house was         back to normalafter an evening   of food      and drink         and conversation.Mary and Martha   had slept,      both of them         tired            and full of wonder               of what had occurred.Now,   at daybreak,the sisters   went on a walk      to talk about         how they…

A group of young clouds    floated across the sky,      discussing what was to become         of their lives.The boldest of them stated,   “Well, what else?      I’m going to sail over the earth         in the bright of day      and throw shadows of many shapes   across the groundfor people to admire.”Another, less confident, said   “I’m going to…

As I sit here…   with you…      and pray.As I kneel before you…   and pray.My prayers   are united with      all of those         who pray            with you tonight,               and I pray            for all of those         who have fallen asleep      when   you asked themto pray with you. I pray for you   in your Garden of Gethsemane,and I pray  …

Writing poetry.“How is it done?”   one might ask.After 47 years,   I still don’t have      an answer.I am a poet,   yes,and yet…   I don’t write      my poems.They write themselves.They emerge…   from the depths      of my being…         Whole.         Complete.         Finished.I just have   the honor      of putting them         on paper,which may be   in my journal,      on a…

Every person is an artist. How they express it,whether it be in paintings, poems, photography,or music, is irrelevant. No one ever livedwho wasn’t an artist. Children are fantastic artists, for it doesn’tmatter to them if it is beautiful. They drawpictures of love and happiness, of flowers and trees,or the pain they feel in their hearts.…

Lord, In this Lenten seasonhelp me   to fast from hate      and celebrate Your Love,   to fast from offending others      and celebrate forgiving,   to fast from contention with my sisters and brothers      and celebrate the unity found in compassion,   to fast from lies      and celebrate truth.Inspire me   to fast from my doubts      and celebrate with others…

Beloved God,My brother and Iwere born unto You.We were born,twins,of Your immense Loveand of Your infinite Light.And today we are moreunited than ever.We sharethe miracle of life,embracing liketwo unborn childrenwithin the maternal wombof Your wonderful Creation.We talk,we laugh,we crytogether.Togetherwe allow ourselvesto be filledwith the beautyof the green forest,the sun’s light,the river’s water andthe silver threadsof…

A ministry of calm.   A ministry of presence.      Holding sacred space.These are   just a few      descriptions   of what I,      and others,        offer      to those         who are dying.But we are not   the only ones      who offer.Because,   you see,      those         who are dying            offer to us               invaluable gifts.We are filled   with      their presence,we are filled   with         their…

Calm whispers.   Rain clouds.      Vibrant rainbows.    Your nudges.Time to breathe.The smell of rain     in the desert.Your presence –   gentle,      loving,         inspiring,            enveloping –   guides me      on this path         You have prepared            with so much         wisdom,      care,   intention.You know me   better than I know      myself.I am in awe   of the beauty      that surrounds me,         of the…

Dancing with the cholla   is trusting      that all of creation         is good.It is appreciating,   recognizing,      celebrating         the beauty            and the kindness         that each of us      has.It is caring for   instead of destroying.It is sharing   instead of attacking.It is understanding   instead of judging. In these days   that I have danced      with the cholla,   I have learned…