We may lay and rise to meet
Expel desire to compete
Friends and strangers’ hearth for feet
Tread the path discreet
Fruit borne plentiful and sweet
Eyes of silence wide asleep
Pierce the mocking vine deceit
Thistle blister seat
Longing not for pride or place
Passion forbade saving face
Hope in holy open space
Gentle saving grace
Poem and Featured Image of Ellendale, Tasmania by Lisa J. Haynes (C) 2018
Image of ruins near Ross, Tasmania – Mercury Newspaper.
Fear of what might happen if you leave
Is no good reason to remain
Brokenhearted,
May you have the freedom to proclaim
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion
— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendour. – Isaiah 61:1-3
I gave away my feathers to a wounded bird, mid-flight
She fondled in her fingers and gazed at colours bright.
Both of us now cold, I wandered down the pale pink hall
Warmed by hands and hearts – reciting heaven, gold, gems and all.
With bravery I wore a cross-shaped medal I didn’t earn
A signed and sealed commission of men has joined the funeral burn.
Though many think the flow of blood is death, despair and strife
I know for sure it’s freedom from guilt and our eternal life.
The darkness that I wear will not do for wedding ball
Patiently, I changed the feathers for a pure white shawl.
It’s the things that aren’t said that hurt the most.
I can hear the tower clock chime from my pillow
It is the only constant I hear.
But even this clock;
I envy the care and attention
it receives for its restoration.
I hope to have its constancy at heart.
Spiritus Sanctus:
‘O Holy Spirit, as the sun is full of light, the ocean full of water,
Heaven full of glory, so may my heart be full of thee.’
I love all the unseen things about you
I wait for them to make themselves known
a word, a look, a gesture, a smile
a gift of Love – one treasure I own.
When I stand before the body, in the flesh
I am confused. It’s You that I miss.
I respond in words I don’t understand
I lose part of myself in this.
Waiting for the unseen,
the centre of our being
to come forward again
In the Spring.
When you play, your work, your dream
it is there – the unseen
making music in my ears
as sweet as a song of songs.
Sweet fruit. Spring flush
Eat, dear friends, and drink your fill of love¹
The days were Made for this.
The season of singing has come.²
Love stronger than death
burns like a Mighty fire
Many waters cannot quench
Nor rivers sweep it away.³
By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life. –Psalm 42:8
Image source: ‘Looking through the trees to the stream’ by John Groves
My dreams never betrayed me
It was the daytime that I fought
Erasing words I did not say
Discarding others’ thoughts
You know a hand could never hope
to live without their arm
An arm never fights
without a hand to disarm
I dampened end of fingers
extinguished the ill-lit wick
But faith and hope lit another flame
Its scent won’t make us sick.
I know you must despise it
All my words and songs and stares
Like bitter herbs, resent the taste
But brings us heavenly wares.
Amidst vineyards and streams
rickety bridges, burnt ridges
lies a stone pillar erect
Ebenezer, rock of help to protect
Teach, observe, promise to serve
no wicked intent or self-serving word
Mizpah, watchtower, amidst almond flower
The Master carves out his heritage dream
Gentle rest in valleys green
Shepherd’s wake from hilltop eye view
Finds source of springs to refresh and renew
Lest our wine-skins burst at their seams.
Image: William Mark Fisher painting – American Gallery WordPress
You with your hands
held high in the air
Blank stare on your face
Your words said with flair
Still, we both pray for Karen.
You with your bells
and your smells in the air
With robes and peak caps
And ceremonial fare
Still, we both pray for Karen.
You with your book
and your words fill the air
Nods all around
Words just and fair
Still, we both pray for Karen.
Me with my morning
and evening, night air
Hands closed to my head
Soul emptied of cares
Lying still, we all pray for Karen.
Them with their sun
and full moon on the rise
Empty words in the air
Suspicions of lies
Still, we all care for Karen.
I AM Silent
But always listening in
waiting for any words
whether or not they rhyme..
I AM Walking
It’s the most I can do
lying in gentle wait
for You, we walk in two’s
I AM Patient
not knowing what to ask
for Fear it won’t be granted
Because the first will be the last
Count the stars of heaven 
