Photo: Brian Federle, “Night”, 2014
the
beat
steady;
constant hum,
music of days to
night fading; the right note, only
song you know; sum of your days, falling, falling to night.
so
go
to the
center, to
the black place to wait
for Him. Don’t call out in fear for
there’s nobody there but you and He, so simply be
and
hear
how His song
fills your darkness with
light; smile at Him, your familiar
bright friend, and no longer will you fear your emptiness.
(23 Dec 2013)
Morning fog
caressed
my winter tears
as unseen geese
(noisy gaggle)
crossed the opaque sky.
Things well hidden
confuse
my fragile faith,
so when bright, piercing rays
broke through
this lonely vale of tears
I thought it was only the sun
not the golden light,
desire of my fleeting years.
“The life of the soul is not knowledge, it is love, since love is the act of the supreme faculty, the will, by which man is formally united to the final end of all his striving – by which man becomes one with God.” (Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain)
See how wind tears, how
clouds ravage the sky
to shreds…
Can you hear the geese fleeing
shouting dread
as the savage storm crouches?
Are you afraid?
I know
how the sea sometimes
launches boulders;
but the stubborn land
bows and waits
and, swollen, forgives
with torrents of life;
rivers of joy.
(2013-2017)
Photo: Brian Federle, San Francisco Homeless, 2014.
Photo Brian Federle, Camping March 2010
Wind-ripped leaves
cover my yard
severed flesh, leathery
fingers splayed
grip the brick walkway.
Flush winter roses
drop petals,
red shrouds cover
glistening gold veins
sundered
from ravaged trees.
Yet the trees survive.
mimicking death’s
grey angularity
oblivious to the wind,
nude limbs
lean into the howling storm
and dream of June breezes,
singing green afternoons,
the faithful thrush
thrusting new life to flight.
But for now
black clouds gather
the winter wind sings dirges
for these sacrificial leaves
nourishing the famished earth.
(11/18/2010)
re-post 10/25/2017
“What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.” Thomas Merton
+
deep in the cathedral
love resounds
through the bright air
of paradise
love rebounds
playful, full of
prayer.
Oh, hear the organ’s
profundo ring
laughter
as love pierces
your living heart
as, prostrate,
love breaks open
your breathless soul.
(18 November 2013 on the ordination of my brother)
Àngel duent-se una dona, Cementiri Poble Nou, Barcelona
Photo by David Chacobo on Flickr
Angels rise to pure atmosphere
and call us to share
their freedom.
Hear how they sing
living spring
into our wintered world!
At last we rise
redeemed
to silver souls
in golden
light.
(16 Feb. 2011)
fill your heart
with rush of rain,
open palms
to receive
new life
for your heart
of winter!
oh, see how
the birds
fiercely sing
my love!
(5 January 2016)
I hear your soft voice
In the hushed evening breeze
as gentle wind fills
these tall, murmuring trees.
For you’re never too far;
your soft breath I can feel.
My soul stirs with faith
that no anger can steal.
Through the cold, empty night
you fill my dark soul.
Your brilliant light breaks
death’s harsh, ancient hold.
In the morning I’ll hear
your clear voice proclaim
my life you’ve restored,
bitter tears wiped away.
(7 March 2014)
Look up at me, turn
your wide eyes,
expectant, wondering,
hopeful, and see
what I can give.
Do you want a coin? Some-
thing good to eat? Do
you want a little
kindness?
I have none of these
to give you
but the kindness
and the secret of
the seeds of healing
flowing all around you
spring breeze
swirling, gentle desire
blessing your torn lungs, infusing
your tainted blood, singing
sweetly your freedom!
In His name, then, I command you
to rise and take your place
beside me, and enter into
His holy temple!
(14 April 2013)
poems 