Heavendance

HEAVENDANCE

I imagine

the dance we dance

through Heaven’s gate

will not be a waltz or fox-trot,

will not be a jitterbug or Charleston,

Macarena, Mashed Potatoes,

Twist, Tango or Watusi,

will not be the Stroll,

Funky Chicken, Electric Slide,

tap, jig, jazz or Cha-cha-cha.

It will not, of course,

be the sensual dance of Salome

with veils and evil purposes

nor will it be as

a performance by Isadora,

Pavlova, Nureyev or Flatley.

I imagine

Heavendance will be

like the Dance of David

of the Circumcised Heart,

dance of the Golden Ark

of the Most Precious Presence.

There’ll be leaping,

springing,

twirls unrestrained,

saints swathed

in rainbow radiance,

tambourines,

timbrels, trumpets

and shouts...

joydance,

salvationdance,

forever and everdance

with the greatest

joyleaps springing

from the Father,

Himself.

Maude Carolan

My Valentine to Jesus

LIKE MARY, AT THE FEET OF JESUS

Lord, I’ve come to curl up

close to Your sandals

like Mary of Bethany

my ears primed

to absorb each word You speak

I’ve tuned out concerns

that would pull me

from this footstool

and will not be bothered

by deeds or distractions

that would drown Your voice

If Martha insists

on doing busy-work

she must do it alone

for nothing is more important to me

than sitting right here

right now, with You

and I will wail

at Your sacred feet

like Mary of Bethany

when my strength falters –

I shall wrap my quivering arms

around Your sturdy ankles

allow my tears to run in rivulets

down Your dusty feet –

stir You to weep, too

till resurrection happens

but especially, Lord

I long to anoint Your precious feet

like Mary of Bethany

and come with all that I have

as she, bearing nard

for I, too, yearn to soothe

with pure, lavish fragrance

the calloused heels and soles

toes and arches

I, too, know well –

the very feet that carried Good News

to my ears and heart –

beautiful feet, bleeding feet

pierced through for me

I shall unpin my hair, humbly

like Mary of Bethany

take Your dust

as diamonds, upon me

I desire to be, unto you, Lord

a sweet aroma

and if I be scolded, as was she

by one who couldn’t possibly understand

so be it

so be it

Maude Carolan Pych

Will I Love Enough to Pray?

WILL I LOVE ENOUGH TO PRAY?

Someone told me you’ve been ailing,

that the medication’s failing

to bring the healing that you seek.

You are scared and you’ve been crying,

you’re afraid that you are dying

and the faith you have is so weak.

I can tell you I sympathize,

even attempt to be quite wise,

cajole you and go on my way,

but the question of the hour

is will I turn my heel and cower

or will I love enough to pray?

A young man has just been sharing

that his wife is overbearing

and he can’t take it anymore.

He said he met a gal somewhere

and they are having an affair,

tossing his vows right out the door!

I may advise him to be strong,

say infidelity is wrong,

bring in a counselor today;

but the question that I ponder

is will I just weep and wonder,

or will I love enough to pray?

A close friend has been criticized

by a neighbor she despises.

Getting even is what she yearns.

She says she hates her in heart,

of forgiveness she’ll have no part.

Oh, how her words of anger burn!

I can attempt to intervene,

may even be the go-between,

tell them there is a better way.

I might speak of sin and leaven,

bellow, "Seventy times seven!"

but will I love enough to pray?

When a situation’s stormy,

I can seek Thee or ignore Thee,

use worldly wisdom come what may...

Though advice may have some merit,

I must look up, not to blur it;

mindful, there is a higher way.

Some will look at me quite oddly,

still, I must try something Godly…

I'll do it…love enough to pray!

Maude Carolan