mercy

Early Spring morning storm clouds

is it irony
this leaving of cold dark winter
into the light of spring
just as he learns of the darkness in his body
and the radiation that will slow its journey
into spring
and his lessened future.

is it mercy
this praying for his life, his light
we have nothing to sacrifice other
than the burnt offering that he will become
under the merciless eye of
the ticking machine
and his lessoned future

love and friendship are our only traveling mercies
as he journeys into the spring of his foreseeable future

Psalm 51:15-17 Lent 2019

A good friend begins his journey. We are walking with him on his path as far as we can. We love him so and ask for mercy.

Preparing the Way

Cardinal in the Snow

I remind myself to pay attention
Should the stones choose to shout out
Or the mountains bow down.
Just in case a triad of angels
Drop by the house for a visit
I keep the sacrament of hospitality prepared.
My eyes are open
Should I need to clothe the naked
Or feed the hungry
Or maybe have occasion to do justice
Or show mercy.
Shaking myself to stay awake,
I have my eyes peeled
For the bridegroom.
Reminding myself
To keep alert
Ready to hear that whisper
Loud as a thunderclap
‘Be still’

*** This a poem for Advent written last year. But as I am preparing for the holidays again, it reminds me to keep prepared in other ways. Things I should be prepared to do each and every day – feed the hungry, clothe the naked, be just, merciful, hospitable. Should you be so inclined, these are the Biblical references: Luke 19:40, Habakkuk 3:6, Hebrews 13:2, Micah 6:8, Isaiah 58:7, Matthew 25, Psalm 46:10