All that I have written

seems like straw

compared to

what has now been revealed to me.  [i]
 
 
 
Reply to Reginald of Piperno, when being asked to resume writing Summa Theologiae (then left unfinished), after a mystical experience while saying Mass on or about 6 December 1273.   
Thomas Aquinas   (died 1274)
 


[i]   “Thomas Aquinas”.  en.wikiquote.org.  {https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_Aquinas} (accessed December 1, 2021). 
 

 
I rarely have a Never
and hardly an Always
and I’ll not reach Forever
till the end of my days
 
When set to start this
I mostly stop that
Alphas and Omegas
all fall flat
 
Lost decision, scant precision
crossed collision, some derision,
in flux –  redux,
nonesuch, or too much
 
But still I know
a star above
a sea below
a bird in flight
 
in Heart’s dark night
is Endless Love

 (1990s) 

 
Dear God,
I would like
some kind of help.
 
It’s not the weeks
or months, I think,
but the years,
 
and the request unanswered.
You know I melt,
fiery, outraged.
 
And I know
calmer moments.
But for now,
 
God,
help.
   
(1960s)
 

 
O Sacred Heart of Jesus
ocean of mercy and love
I place my hands into your hands
my mind into your mind
my heart into your heart
for without you I can do nothing
and I am nothing without you
 
(2010s ?) 

 
We arrive, worn and tattered,
scattered, and You say:
Be still, focus,
quiet down and hear.
 
Though the inner world is tumbling,
twirling round inside
we watch the age-old gesture,
Son of Man lifted high
 
Be still and stillness comes.
Let the senses share
Confide in Providence
Abandon fear
 
 (1980s)
 

 
Are you Born Again?
the man in the street cried,
“Are you Born Again?”
I found that I was tongue-tied.
 
He means, in his question of my life,
has there been a sea change
with furthest tide,
of drawing out and filling in.
 
And I say Yes,
but ask how many years
do we re-live this Born,
how many times repeat, before Again appears?
 
Midst world-confusion,
mind-restlessness,
body-tiredness,
sleep-forgetfullness, and dream-yearnings,
 
Through duties, needs, attentions,
pains and loves and carings,
lasting through all these, 
have you seen or been
 
A breath of incense,
a ray of sunlight,
a broken bread of healing…
Is the challenge met?
 
How long has God’s hand carried you?
Did you ever find the Rock?
Have you drunk your cup,
and, as for your Lot – what became of it?
 
Where have your cells gone,
where has your mind gone,
where have your Loves gone?
Has birth or death been going on?
 
Like a pamphlet on a seat,
small sign to beckon wandering feet,
a question from Anonymous,
“Are you Born Again?”
 
All the answer I can say is Yes,
once I found The Way,
but God’s love has no end
and we are born again,
amazingly, each day.
 
 (1990s) 

 
Oh setting sun held high
above each one’s horizon
and place of return.
 
Oh rising Son lifting us
to heavenly sky
toward you we yearn
 
Omega of all our beginnings
and Alpha of all our ends
Son of our Father
and lover of friends
 
Our deeds and our past
we place on your altar at last
and lay our Selves at your feet
where East-West meet.
 
(1990s) 

 
What are angel’s wings like?
Like Mama’s handkerchiefs – scented.
And their feet?
Like flying sparks.
And their hands?
Like Daddy’s.
And their hair?
Like rusty-colored grass.
Their faces?
I’ve never seen their faces.
What are their hearts like?
Like my arms around you.
Now, good night.
 
(1960s)