Tag Archives: flowers

GONE TO THE GODS

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Death comes sneaking up like a cat
But I escape it by leaping into the air, twirling three times –
I play better than any death-cat.

Some days, I hope Death forgets to come –
But then I remember that Death never forgets –
Death always licks its plate clean.

Since I’ve recently been granted a new grandson in the world –
Will Death now consent to “punch my ticket” –
Scheduling me for a fast ride into oblivion.

As I approach closer to Death
I’m open to accepting its help in loosening my ties to the world –
Shedding old habits like flowers flung back into fields
Or bright coins – thrown out for strangers to be surprised by.

The last things to go will be my beloved books –
Every room in my house wears them with emotional warmth
But, one day, those shelves will all be emptied
And no one will know I ever lived here.

I hope I’m long gone before Death arrives
Who’ll be quite surprised at missing me –
Death thought I would be a tasty snack
But its teeth hit only air –
Because I’ve gone ahead to the gods –
And my own pregnant invisibility.

THE SPLENDOR IS OVERWHELMING

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One day I awoke and discovered
A Persian carpet woven with flowers and other plants.

Another day, sitting quietly,
The soft browns of our oak furniture came into prime view.

One day, thinking about the prospect of dying –
Life itself, suddenly became much more intriguing.

On the day I finally gave up all my residual intensity –
Was when I began to hear tinkling bells,
Became aware of the quick movements of small birds,
And memories of the seashore suddenly reappeared.

The day I stopped counting –
Was the day I gave up trying to control my world
And also was the exact moment I stepped through doors of natural happiness
That only God is capable of flinging open.

God has been carefully watching us  – waiting for some indication
Of a recognition of God’s presence –

So, if your mind stops – even for one second –
And you’re able to take a good look

The splendor is overwhelming
And you’ll begin crying about everything you’ve missed in the past.

FIREFLIES

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Fingers intertwined with fingers –

Fireflies in the fir trees –
On fire – but with a “cool” flame.

Legs crossing legs
Turning into afternoon kisses –
The romance of the young
Coming out of the sea.

It’s too soon to know what we need to know –
And by the time we do, it might be all over –
The crowds leaving –
Applause only a memory.

Yes, it’s memory time
But the memories have flown away – like birds –
Migrating –
Flying away like time –
Suddenly and forever.

She said “I love you”
A long time ago
When there was green grass
Open eyes
And breath as sweet as flowers.

Suddenly, a letter arrives, posted long ago –
What does it say?
What could it say?
Given we’re in another place, another time?

 

AN ECSTASY OF LOVE (for Marguerite Porete (declared heretical by 21 male theologians))

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Just as there’s joy beyond joy
There’s also love beyond love.

You’ll discover this when you die to everything except love –
That is, when you eat, sleep, and work only for love.

Suddenly, a door opens
And a long-lost parent from heaven walks through
And asks for you

Only you – and nobody else.

When your spiritual mother or father recognizes you
And says “Come” –
You do!

Love beyond love is where flowers come from –
Where birds travel to in winter –
It’s also the place where fresh water enters the world –
That is, love beyond love is a “spiritual rain”
Coming down sufficiently to drench us –
Inside and out.

Love beyond love is when God begins talking through you –
When you open your mouth and what comes out is what God’s been feeling –
Because you are no longer you
You are God come to life inside you –
Like Marguerite –
And that’s when you start looking, sounding, and smelling like
Joy!

A DANCE OF JOY

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Usually, one doesn’t meet God personally,
And, even in that case, ordinarily just by accident.

We pass by, and only later realize
Something happened –
Maybe just a momentary impression –
Like noticing stars looking like astral “white flowers”
Or a simple shrub beside the path, when hit by the sun, turning into a “star.”

It’s the joy arising in our hearts
That tells us God has just passed by.

Unexpectedly, we feel like dancing –
Even though the world might think us crazy –

And we are – but only for God.

Our heart starts beating an internal drum:

– Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy –

Our feet leave the ground –
And, suddenly,
We’re in the air!

Who says there’s no such thing as ecstasy
In North America?