THE MAZE 

If you let

the most vulnerable part 

of yourself relax 

into the labyrinth of life

don’t be surprised when

love emerges 

from the maze.

ON RETREAT

1.

Snow falling
off branches

         Then,

the happy 
bounce that

comes from
letting go

2.

A blackness
that beats

brightly behind
branches heavy

with snow
A raven

lighting inside
a winter pine

3.

As melting snow

gives way to red earth

the sun climbs behind 

the spine of a pinion tree

Like a heart

coming out of hiding

it beams its love 

unabashedly 

through branches, as spokes 

of brightening light 

GOD’S REPLY 

     in memory of Mary Hope Burroughs

She had been

talking with God

for weeks

and cursing anyone 

who ventured 

to interrupt.

 

It was the only 

conversation she was 

willing to have 

at the time.

When God’s reply

finally came 

after all her waiting

it came 

like a ghost ship

in the night 

that silently took

her Soul away

to the place where 

all good pirates go.

HOMECOMING

Go back to 

where you came from

Step into the church

where you used to

sing as a child

Even though

you can’t carry

a tune

and never really could

lend your voice

to the hymns of today

Let it get lost 

in the larger voice

the voice of the congregation

Hear what it sounds like

to be held, carried

by something

that rises

and swells

with joy

and deep faith

Feel what it feels like

to be a part of

a song

that hears you

and has the power

to sing you back 

to yourself, back

to your soul’s source

once again