Lanterns in the Fields

In the beginning

Love was shared, by Love for Love:

Love is born of Love.

The leaf has fallen

temporarily severed:

through the soil returns.

Empty chrysalis:

the caterpillar's finish,

the butterfly's birth.

High cloud in the sky;

silhouettes of leafless trees -

gulls flying inland.

Peaceful solitude -

the contemplative spirit

is never alone.

Fresh green buds of spring

alert me to birth and life

of new creation.

April daffodils

shine a light on cloudy days -

lanterns in the fields.

The night sky sparkles -

distant spiral galaxies;

glimpses of the past.

Just a faint whisper -

no need to cry, my child;

I am on my way.

Conscious existence

from a random accident -

a coincidence?

Fruit of Mary's womb -

universal breath of life;

Love becomes human.

Nets of fishermen

on the shores of Galilee -

newly abandoned.

Silence – absent noise,

but certainly no failure

to communicate.

Archer and arrow -

still – prepared for the release:

one with the target.

As the cup goes by

we may drink and quench our thirst,

or leave our mouths dry

16a

Poor man in the street -

starving child – thirsty mother -

'this is my Body.'

16b

Solidarity -

living - suffering - dying -

'this is my Body.'

16c

Love - resurrection -

liberating unity -

'this is my Body.'

Come parousia -

to see clearly - face to face -

patiently, we wait.

Eyes slowly open -

vision, obscured, becomes clear -

awake to the day!

Jesus - Word of God -

incarnate liberator -

Alpha and Omega.

Love – the creative

power – uniting Spirit

reaching out to all.

Silent morning sun

welcoming a waking earth

with a warm embrace.

Soul, contemplative -

living prayer for her neighbour -

intercedes for love.

Reaching out beyond

limits of my awareness -

saints receive my prayer.

Birdsong heralds dawn -

ends the night and warns the fox

his hunting's over.

Blessed those who love;

preparing ways for the One -

for peace, for justice.

The children's welcome -

filled with love and gratitude -

joy on my returning!

Gulls soaring overhead

glowing in the evening sun -

fleeing? - just being.

Ireland – torn apart -

sorrow at the green turned red

fills the Irish heart.

The leaves are turning,

golden in the midday sun -

autumn's on its way.

Here in the darkness

breaking through the blackest night,

light of hope and love.

Dark, before the dawn -

instinctively a chorus

calls the earth to life.

Through illness and pain

separation and sadness -

together again!

Present in each breath -

loving all – in joy – in pain -

uniting all – One.

Boundless compassion,

awakened eye of the heart -

joy in creation.

Mistreated planet -

earth – life's womb, cradle, mother;

hijacked by the few!

Love takes no offence,

seeking ways in peace and truth,

love makes no pretence.

Universal Lord,

in your presence let me be -

lay me down to rest.

Centred on a word

uttered in rhythm of breath -

prelude to silence.

Behold in silence -

behold in peaceful stillness

the sacred presence.

Lady of Thailand

my heart aches at your sorrow -

may you find true love.

41a

Gentle water falls

to Druidstone sand – horses

charge into the sea.

41b

Waves caress the shore -

castles disappear – children

charge into the sea.

Mushroom cumulus -

evoking sad memories

of Nagasaki.

Through the frosty grass

pecking hard the frozen ground

shuffling crow survives.

From unconsciousness -

life, slowly awakening -

a pilgrim's journey.

A creature am I

fashioned by love to respond -

to give all for all.

The town wakes in peace;

crows dancing on the rooftops

while the sun rises.

The raging waters

and the violent storm – calmed

at the Master's word.

Alive and kicking

new life's heart beating strong – but

death awaits this child.

In the darkest forest

light glimmering through the trees -

lantern in the snow.

Deep in the tall pines

leafy trails through moss-lined streams;

past the giant's chair.

For the neglected

love, time, understanding -

from the busy ones!

Garden – hums and scents -

warm, green – flowers in the sun,

dead bee on the grass.

Moves to compassion

turn the within to without;

the rich become poor.

Bathing in a fire -

hope shines from death in autumn -

catching falling leaves.

Seasons come and go -

summer sun and winter snow,

through joy and sorrow.

Blessed those who love;

preparing ways for the One,

for peace, for justice.

Christmas – winter's light -

dark and bleak would be the night

without your presence.

Breathing in silence -

breathing in peaceful stillness -

breathing the sacred.

She reclaims the land -

weaves her spell, extends her hand -

heals the wounds of Man.

Cold beneath the stars

December moon – misty light -

silence in the night.

Winter wind at dusk;

silver birch in dying sun -

gulls follow me home.

For all the helpless -

reach out – love flows out to others:

it is done to You.

Beaten and bleeding -

I call on your compassion,

lift me from the dust.

No eye for an eye

but offer the other cheek -

love seeks no revenge.

Sweet smelling wood smoke,

incense round the naked trees -

leafless not lifeless.

Tears unnoticed – smiles -

unspoken words trapped within

this disabled body.

Perched in the hedgerow,

sheltered from a wild Welsh wind,

buzzard rests awhile.

Weathered stone – unseeing -

ivy climbing shaken trees -

birds and leaves fly past.

Gnats erratic flight,

scented grass swaying in the sun -

children hide and seek.

See, now, creation;

listen, touch, smell and taste – now

all of creation.

I watch the sunset -

two balloons rise in the dusk -

I go – but not yet...

Sun in the valley -

Welsh trees, Canadian wood -

rain in the evening.

Sparrows chattering,

raindrops on leafless branches -

floods break through the dikes.

Holy flesh, raised up -

offered first by a woman:

holy mother's hands.

Let it be, as you

not I – flowers from your fount

of holy wisdom.

In love and compassion

lies the beginning and end

of all creation.

Lanterns in the Fields

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