Engaging the Life of the Soul
The life of the soul is not linear
but topographical—
time does not pass, it mounts
contours mimic visages, memories
of people and places
that belong to the one who says, “This is my land,”
I know how it was formed, which rivers are navigable,
where the crossings are—
how long it takes to get from A to B, and
how the light feels when it falls on hills, crests and rises…
There’s an inner life
that gives shape to my exterior,
prompting me to carve out time
spent quietly in a soothing
tree-rich nature sanctuary, full of paths
that loop back, ensure you don’t
get lost in anything other
than thought; help you dwell
on what you came for,
what is essential, worth the retreat.
solitude: time alone with God long enough to sense
his presence, his nearness; to grow in the certainty
that he is with us and for us, always and into forever
silence: space to notice what we hear
when no one else is competing for our attention and allegiance, who and what really calls our name, speaks truth
contemplation: to look longer at the beauty of the world;
to find, take our place in it; close the gap between us and God’s creation to the smallest of margins, open up new vistas
in solitude and silence,
close to the fire, listening to crackling
kindling, snapped off branches, whole logs burn
I contemplate the coming frost—
the need to resolve unfinished bits of Fall
Winter: the perfect time
to make peace the way Jacob made his timely,
pressing peace with brother
Esau
after how many years (?)
finally choosing to play his own part
knowing most of us die with a to-do list better extinguished
a poem about homecoming, finding peace – from my new book, Quiet Waters
if solitude is time alone with God
what holds me back?
when I am tired, Lord, hear my prayer—
there is too much to do and too little time to do it
when I am a cynic, Lord, hear my prayer—
there are things I have tried, and they have failed,
I see a pattern in me and those around me
when I am busy, Lord, hear my prayer—
there are people who need me, hold claim:
who will take care of them?
seeking solitude to be with you Lord, hear my prayer, to live simply