A Poem for Ash Wednesday

Image credit: pinterest.com

ASH WEDNESDAY REFLECTION

It’s Ash Wednesday—

Off in the distance, I hear thunder

thunder, like the sound of a big bass drum

There’s a BOOM and a BOOM and a BOOM

and a BOOM

like ticking and ticking and ticking

of a clock     Like a pulse     pulsing

Like beats     Heartbeats

Mine—

I’m reminded of time wasted

and time used wisely

of goals realized

and goals not met

Have I said the important things?

Have I done them?

Have I given enough?

Have I loved enough?     Forgiven?

Accepted forgiveness?

Is the world better because I’m here?

Have I done what I need to do       with God?

I listen for the next strike to the drum

and the next

BOOM and a BOOM and a BOOM

I don’t want the rhythm to stop

but       it will

I recall our vigil at Joanne’s bedside—

Remember holding my breath, waiting for her next

waiting for each heartbeat       Wishing

my hoping were enough

to keep her

The beat goes on     It won’t falter

until     BOOM and a BOOM…..BOOM

and     silence

dead silence

and that’s it

That’s when God takes over

Maude Carolan Pych

God Said, "I AM."

I AM WHO I AM

Exodus 3:14

God said—

I Am

He was utterly

straightforward

Exists—

Is

Am

The most important

question

          answered

in the audible voice

of the Almighty

Himself

even without

the asking

Tell them, He told Moses

I Am

sent you

That He Is

Was

and Ever Shall Be—

is

the greatest

          manifestation

                   of our peace

Maude Carolan Pych   

I Want Everyone to Love Him, but...

Image credit: photoquotes.com

I CAN'T MAKE YOU LOVE HIM

I can't make you love Him if you don't

can't strike a match

to cause your heart to blaze

at the mention of His Name

can't cause you to tremble

as I tremble

before His holiness

can't jumpstart love

from the outside in

It only happens from the inside out

No matter how much I love you

loving Him

is not something you can get from me

like a cup of mulled cider or a hug

not something you can inherit

like good genes, strong teeth or curly hair

not something I can demonstrate

like how to knead dough or rhyme couplets

nor is it something I can gift-wrap

tie with a crimson ribbon

and give you to make you happy

No, all I can do is tell the old, old story

about His beauty, as I perceive it

His mercy, as I've experienced it

His wonders and His love

All I can do is hope, pray

and wait

Truth will not impose

Truth waits to be sought

Answers wait for age-old questions

The Door waits for your knock

When He opens

you'll find He's been expecting you

already loving you

No, I can't make it easy, although it can be

I embarked on my quest; you'll embark on yours

No, I can't make you love Him if you don't

but should your quest lead you to His heart

I'll be waiting, like the One inside the Door

to dance in the glow of His grandeur with you

Maude Carolan

At the Beautiful Springs of Engedi...

Photo credit: freerepublic.com

AT THE WATER BROOKS

Israel Pilgrimage--2006

We stop briefly

at a verdant oasis

in the wilderness—

the Springs of Engedi

where long ago in a cave nearby

David spared the life of Saul

A crystalline waterfall descends

from high above our heads

into a sparkling pool at our feet

Our rabbi tells us

deer and ibex

hyrax and rock badgers

roam these hills

and that in the shade

of the caves

psalmists of old

likely scrawled

timeless verses

My mind’s eye

envisions a son of Korah

sitting upon a rock

at the mouth of a cave

ministering unto the Lord

on a hot day—

Suddenly a thirsty deer

appears and begins

lapping cool, refreshing water

from the stream—

            hence, Psalm 42

As the deer pants

for the water brooks,

So my soul pants

for You, O God…

We begin to sing the psalm—

our own souls thirsting

for the Living God

of the ages

as our eyes dart about

searching for deer or ibex

or a snippet

of Saul’s garment

shorn by the blade

of David’s swift sword

Maude Carolan Pych