THE BATTLES OF OTHERS

Like a spectator on a hill,
you can see the battles coming
to others, and how it will all lead
to victory in the end.

But when, God, is my war coming?
When will my hands be bloody?

(December 24, 2008)

INTERSECTIONS

It is time for me to set my sails
for a different horizon;
you have to go where things happen.

My raft carries me to my island
that isn’t much bigger than me—
the whales are my emissaries.

We came together and now we part,
like we always do—wish for others’ peace
down the road.

Someone out there is sad,
it’s good to say
a prayer for them.

(December 21, 2008)

VISION

“…reflect upon the perfection of man’s creation, and that all these planes and states are folded up and hidden away within him…Then we must labor to destroy the animal condition, till the meaning of humanity shall come to light.” —Bahá’u’lláh


I came down the hill
to a different world than I left—
I see a more empty world than most, and it’s
more sad for them than it is for me.
So I look out my window,
and turn off my light. This is where
we should be.

The next morning, there are no more answers
to our questions, but we hold tight to
those things we’ve learned.
But if you see the light on in the
window of my room, it doesn’t mean
I’m waiting for anything.
Maybe the future
will have more meaning for us all.

(December 12, 2008)

FREEDOM

“Yet those who journey in the garden land of knowledge, because they see the end in the beginning, see peace in war and friendliness in anger.” —Bahá’u’lláh


I glanced at the book and thought,
“Everything’s lost.”

I found God in a handful of dust
and went up to the top of the hill,
opened my hand and let the wind
carry it away,
for someone else to find…

(December 10, 2008)

BE READY

A prayer will help you find
your voice in the crowd.
Be ready for what it tells you.

Tomorrow the sun will rise.
Be ready for what it will show you
about our world.

Our elbows may graze.
Be ready for
unexpected clouds.

Turn to the gate and leave your message there.
Be ready for what God sends—
even if it is a sword for your own head.

Pin your heart out on your sleeve.
Be ready for silence that is neither
ominous nor reassuring.

The hills will become barren.
Be ready to feel the dryness yourself—
it may be long, but it won’t be permanent.

(December 9, 2008)

THE STORM WILL SLIP AWAY

Walking across the bridge, nothing is said,
even the river has halted for a time. The future
seems clear—that city on the hill
receives the only shaft of sunlight
in a grey-streaked sky—
but getting there will be murky.

I know you see what I see—
finding the way by forgetting a lifetime
of experience. It will be hard.
But that stumbling will lead to a dance
we both know.

(December 2, 2008)