sodden leaves by rain
black branches keep dimension
folded out pale sky
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photo by fr0ggy5 on Unsplash
the edge of Normandy back then
we like the beach
don’t we
and
for a moment
did a soldier
think if
in
a sliced half-minute
before
before getting to take a second
step
from the landing ramp
a couple thoughts
like
this is the beach
and
I think
I’d like the beach
being
from the real Omaha and
never stepping
on
warm sand before
and
should there be
a third
step
on the beach
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photo by Daria Strategy on Unsplash
on World Environment Day
on the day
World Environment Day
we may think of Earth
on our
reliance on the ground
even that which is
the solid planet
beneath
water and ice
and through and over air as well
and shall we keep it
Earth
sure
we are so used to it the firmness or
even the firmament by
Bibles
we step around the bad parts
don’t you know
the parts
that nature made
as can with
the bad parts made by us
if once
perhaps
by mistake and now
without doubt
by
will
and shall we leave our steps
reliant
the things we walk or ride on
too
the Earth whose sureness is in trouble
that splits
and lava-
magma-bleeds
and is
a hotter place than
ever
via human extractions
formulation
and how much do we believe in bunkers
really
that should protect us even
as the planet ‘round them
fails
there is no such protection and for now
nowhere else to go
except in orbit
maybe
where most of us will never go
and
can’t sustain itself for life
in body or
in spirit
meaning we give up on Earth
then
we are done
and other planets
other sentient species will
have to take
over
means for
foundation and if by
a change
benevolent inventing
and
no other
world kind
and yet
if we may style and make a world
and then a salutation
well
go
Earth
only and as
to cheer
for all
the elements that make
and keep
a world
made and kept anew
honestly and thoroughly
by us
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image by USGS at Unsplash
golden ruling
must one believe
in order to appreciate
even
to have
a sabbath
there have been laws to secure
weekends
and public mores
if eroded with
work
the busyness of virtue
and so we always have to prove we’re
at it
or are breathing only
for a moment
laws about that
too
the fullness of life
it seems
or as defined by someone we don’t know
must have hard edges
justified for
pay
and even neighborly acceptance
be seen to cut the grass or
not
to stay out late
too late
whenever that should mean
though we have work
and work is
paramount
live to work
the verse that we know
too
and yet eschew if with some longing
work to live
it’s a puzzle and a challenge and an expenditure
and could we really see and have
the thirds
of work
of sleep
of life that is neither work nor sleeping
that we get
to define
and maybe have some say
in all the rest
or is it safe to question and prioritize
shall we keep our jobs
I hope so
as in
twenty-four we get with
maybe threescore and ten and we think
it should be
longer
and it should
and so let life be good with all
the parts
with liking throughout
not
without challenges
and if
really possible
meaning worked out and on
we could let love
course through all
like
if you’ve seen
gold currents in
kintsugi
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photo by Jr Korpa on Unsplash
stuckpoint
do you get stuck
sometimes I do
and how hard is it
to move away
though sometimes
I stay there for a while
a place of excuses
justified
yet maybe an honest break
is called for
and then a ridge or a wall
or other barrier
maybe not so tall
to cross
but must be overcome
to get back out again
ever feel this way
sometimes I do
and if I parse myself
and we can do this
then part of me might
stay here for a while
and so the rest of me performs
or tries at least out there
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photo by Ben Hershey on Unsplash
XL
it’s
well
it’s Sunday
and I could think Sunday thoughts by
Protestants and
Catholics
Anabaptists
independents
too
and what should be such thoughts
but an affirmation or a search
for
a belief
affirmed by what is formal
even with authority
though
from a voluntary organization
we may join
or
leave
or maybe we wander
while the sermon
(sorry
sermon
sermon’s sermonizers)
or
while the body is at prayer
our own
thoughts that could rise as prayer
as
Claudius agonizing
formulizes
though admits he cannot follow
or
before or after
or
without
what is an honest asking
an appraisal of anything there might be
more
then us
since we’re in this casing
sensing outward
to
whatever
and often the flesh fails if only
in parts for
a while then
well
all
what
is it
who is it
where
and how
and maybe if we answer these
or someone does
we might know
a why as well
and well the kind of well
that Julian
describes
and is the bird a spirit
and is there spirit in the wind
or in the floor of plants or
far
below
and if so
should we not be worshipping outside
as
am many are
and what of our own
the thing that moves the
flesh
by what’s inside
that is the foundation for our feelings
then thoughts upon
the feelings
then
everything expressed or otherwise
let go
and
yes
finally
let go
so
yes
Sunday thoughts
be in church or at temple or
obeisance in a mosque
whatever holy place
with
holy resources
and on one’s own or with
our trusted
to explore and figure things as far
as we might go and
with
the ministry of small things to keep us
going
at least hospitably
all
the time
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Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
Hebrews 13:2
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
(NIV)
Hamlet and Saint Julian of Norwich are alluded to as well
photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash
pointed leaves pressing
dark on glass before pale sky
wind returning rain
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photo by Homa Amani on Unsplash
“Waiting with frozen eyes.”
Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran
ev’ry time
the Spirit of God moved
and there was
water
then a world
and God lives in each one
of
us
as we allow
fearful
creator God
yet also living inside
in
intimacy
which is the part of God
that should amaze
and
does sometimes in songs and
testimony
many and great
O God
are thy works
as
in the hand
that
planetwide presses out plains and
valleys with mountain ranges
rising
between fingers
and yet
God indwells
all
who want
and closely forever
which must be one of those
many
and great works
and is
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“Many and Great” is a hymn based on Dakota tribal understanding and language
the title is taken from the hymn “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit”
photograph by Nick Moore at Unsplash
simplicity itself
something
short and simple
if not sweet
for
God is long and complex
but likes short and simple
too
I’m thinking
I love you
I made you
I made you out of love
and now for love
fallen
as the Calvinists propound
and sorry that
that happened though
not sorry
for the will in your
and so
love struggles
not in me
though I mourn
and
yes
and anger in perfection
that is mine
still hoping for love
each time
on Earth
as is
and as we might be waiting
all of us
‘til time
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photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash
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