On a St. Patrick’s Day

On a St. Patrick’s Day

On A St. Patrick’s Day

We feel it on us,

through the thin places,

where the veil between

is so thin.

Those past

are present to us,

Those afar

are felt near,

and connected,

across the gritty sands

and surging seas.

And all creation

Groans,

in a hope,

that a deep peace

courses,

within every being.

As the music,

of the great harmony,

moves us on.

 

Simon C.J. Falk 17/18 March 2017

 

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Praised Be

Praised Be

Praised be

The inspirational word

The sounding syllable

Evoking

our inner ear.

Praised be

The bountiful vision

Of life as gift

A verdant valley

Of repose from harm.

Praised be

The light of morn

Crescent moon of night.

Praised be

The call to community

The welcoming faces

Gathered on the day.

Praised be

The rain and the sun

The wind behind our ears

And the birdsong

Among the trees.

Praised be

The ones we love

Who both hurt and heal us

With the sharing

Of our lives as one.

Praised be

Those human hurts

Hitting our hearts

By humbling us

To pour out our love.

Praised be

That love given away

Sent along roadways

Across seas and airways –

Whether they know –

It’s sent to their hearth.

Praised be

The gift of recollection

To ponder the paradox

Our lives put to us.

Praised be…

Simon C.J. Falk                       19 June 2015

In the Catholic Tradition that has long been my spiritual home, Pope Francis has recently published a circular letter, or encyclical, called Laudato si’ .  It relies on the spirituality of creation and of St. Francis of Assisi .  Francis, saw all life and the earth as gift: interconnected and all were his brothers and sisters.  Francis would often praise the goodness around him, even those things that may seem dark or painful.  The verse above is inspired by the life of Francis and of Laudato si’ (which I haven’t yet finished reading!).  This verse is a thankful drawing together of things and people I have recently encountered. 

Tree Parable

Tree Parable

Some say the created world appeals to the male psyche.  That they love the ‘great outdoors’ of woods and forests, rivers and glades.  Whatever of that. I like them.  The world of creation is life-giving.  We have often looked to places of nature to notice and understand how life and death, destruction and regrowth can be noticed.  This can be a source of comfort and vitality for us as we experience the cycles of life.  The following  free verse celebrates such a viewpoint.  As it was part of my experience of a prayer retreat, I have given it a religious perspective. Others may see further meanings.

Tree Parable

 Tree

Tilted

And twisted

By the wind

In the weather.

You lean.

Your branches

Have taken

Breaks and snaps

Bearing in you

Dead wood.

Yet

You are also strong.

Branches bear

A bounty

Of fresh leaves

Where creatures

Can find

Shelter

And shade.

Your trunk

Is tall timber

And sprouts

From roots

In the grass

Of the meadowy bank.

You

Are like us.

We too

Bear buffeting

From the storms of life.

We too

Have broken in places.

We have

Permanent scars,

Like dead wood,

In our body

And our soul.

And yet

God’s grace is planted

Deep within us.

We are planted in

And built on

The love of God.

So that

God’s fullness

May flow

Into the foliage

Of the countenance

We show

To our world.

Simon C.J. Falk 8 September 2014