David’s Calling
Half-forgotten in the fields, I watch sheep Be sheep, my brothers doing God knows what, I see no lions but try not to sleep, Or shrivel up,…
A Woman Preparing Vegetables
After Vermeer A woman – quite unknown to me - preparing Vegetables, is framed within a window: Has this ever been recorded, made subject Of a painting,…
Regeneration
After Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek Barefoot and bewildered, climbing through barbed wire, Baffled by blackness. A choir of conundrums begins to hum— The sun…
Footwear: A Poem
I know I don’t need another pair of shoes, But they, I see – although second-hand – Are finely made - to my mind, beautiful: The standard…
The Name of Truth
Truth is the agreement of our ideas with the ideas of God - Jonathan Edwards In the streets of the world Truth is walking veiled like…
Balaam’s Donkey
Wretched man! Always beating me so hard For such little things – but still I saved you. Against the sword-angel I stood your guard, For which you…
Laundry Room Prayer
From the warm, stilled drum I retrieve and fold Our clothes in blue-gray morning light in the Mud Room. Mud Room, we call it the Laundry Room,…
The Lion Gate
Sensuous hills of barren bush carpeted with almond stones where soldiers marched important tunes, once in armors bronze. The same steps and crumbs beneath my soles, stamped…
Abraham and Isaac
I go out now, to kill my chosen son, He who has given him so takes away His promise, orders that completely stun My soul, yet God’s…
The Ineffable
My mouth is dry, drawn, and hot, Strained from attempts to utter Words that man cannot — Though my bosom feels a flutter; For I have seen…