I dance on the edge of infinity
beautiful melody envelopes me
time falters
receding into shadow
tossed upon the currents
passing through the moment
recognizing true nature

in the mirror
is a martyr
dressed in red
practicing an illusion
of control
in a world
that is uncontrollable
unknowing, unseeing
playing a role
determined years ago
wondering what happened
to the revolution
humming a melody
in a crazy dream
where everything
is under control
awakening in the sun
set on fire
burning
and in the ashes
a single red flower blooms

**insert angsty cello music**

the hunter sounds the horn
midway through a prayer
in the dark of a forest
at the altar of desire
calling for a hunter's kiss

feathered predator soars above the clouds
sacred words chanted aloud
wolf howls below the moon
dervish whirls into a swoon
statues draped in purple robe
armies rage across the globe
rustic rune carved upon a tree
captive dreams now set free
battered virgin thus enthroned
penitent forever atoned
infinity birthed from the womb
marbled chancery for a tomb

Poetry is a satisfying of the desire for resemblance....
If resemblance is described as
a partial similarity between two dissimilar things,
it complements and reinforces
that which the two dissimilar things have in common.
It makes it brilliant.
Wallace Stevens

I tend to do this when I write verse. Interesting.

need some distraction
tonight
never confessed my sin
angels begin to fall
darkness finds a way
frozen
give my life
for a little kiss
compromised answers
my mind roams
wanting truth
silent divinity
cast out
whispering
have mercy on my soul

estrangment from the self
prompts
rigorous introspection
engage in self-judgement
closer to some god
magical symbolism
a shofar sounds
for the
inventory of our soul
restored to wholeness

does the soul find herself?*

falling into chaotic ecstasy
rising on divine winds
searching for one true moment of clarity
failing miserably
untruth, that...
not recognizing success
discontent
always wanting more
not enough.
not enough.
is this all there is?
perfect enightenment
eternal
infinite
struggling for something else
gifts unfulfilled
thoroughly human in nature



*Meister Eckhart as inspiration

In any weather
at any hour of the day or night
I have been anxious to improve
the nick of time, and
notch it on my stick too;
to stand on the meeting of two eternities,
the past and the future,
which is precisely the present moment;
to toe that line.

Thoreau

the soul loses itself
among infinite depths of nature
frozen in a wonderful enchantment
free and yet bound
united in eternity

how does one love well?
in some ministerial priesthood?
in a community of believers?
in a gentle embrace?
in the loss of gods?
in a cup of tea?
in certainty of faith?
in the genius of a thought?
in an unfulfilled dream?
in a forever changing life?
in the dawn of a new age?
in the chaos of paradise?
in a striking moment of clarity?
in the quietness of a forest?
in the dark at midnight?
how does one love well?

a long retreat
spikes the prayer
removed from work and distraction
lay down to sleep
the liturgist will wake you
when the sun hits the bell tower
above the cloister

yearning for the ultimate dream
perfecting the world
called into partnership

the pattern fills the soul with awe
where everything is a sign
of god manifest
externalized
away from the essence of truth
of the internal experience
spiritual growth is about unlearning
reaching closure
on the altar of consciousness


Bonus metaphysical existential query posed by Teilhard de Chardin:
Are we human beings on a spiritual journey?
or
Are we spiritual beings on a human journey?
Discuss.

an oath sworn upon the Law
with suitable solemnity
an audacious request
unseen, unsuspected
a single, finite act
protection for a simple matter
divine the history
betray the secret
bargain for fragments
as the spirit guides
dreambound
extend the senses
power surging
essence of life
exquisite

Ustum et tenacem propositi virum
Non civium ardour prava jubentium
Non vultus instantis tyranni
Mente quatit solida: Neque Auster
Dux inquieti turbidus Adriae
Nec fulminantis magna Jovis manus
Si fractus illabatur orbis
Impavidum ferient ruinae

HOR. Car. lib. iii., od. 3.



( translation )

infinite longing to love
to be loved
thirsting

On this journey
each small step
aligns with true self
each small success
builds momentum
deflecting distraction
changing passive wishing
to active engagement
aligning action
to a higher vision

higher self awakened
mourning the loss of paradise
facing vulnerability to illness
taking necessary steps for health
negotiating
between a two-year old voice of
rebellion,
"I don't want to..."
and a six-year old voice of
authority,
"You should..."
inner conflict becomes inaction
with real consequences
to body, mind, spirit

mature self
accepting without being controlled by desire
addressing legitimate concerns
through
effective and compassionate action
in the present
not regretting the past
not worrying about the future