Solitude in a fierce landscape

Alone
along the coast.

Darkness
descends.

The fog
draws close
as the sea
beats
against the shore.

The horn
in the distance
warns
lost
seafarers.

A gentle
rain
invites
retreat
to shelter
and
surrender
to the
magnificent
symphony
of the
ocean's
music,

in the
solitude
of a
fierce
landscape.

This Nothern Island

The cold wind
blows
in May.

The spirit
yearns
to rise,

as the heavy sky
weighs
it down.

The restless mind
dreams
of a warmer land.

New buds
lining
the bare trees,

new growth
straining
up through the cold earth,

offers a measure of
joy
on this northern island.

Beaumont Hamel: Memorial of Hope

In this 100th Anniversary year of the Battle of the Somme, Valerie and I have had the privilege of visiting Beaumont Hamel Memorial Park in Northern France. In the battle for Beaumont Hamel, and because of the horrible losses to the regiment, communities and families of the small island and nation of Newfoundland in 1916, the identity of a people was forged. “Beaumont Hamel” is etched in the collective memory of every Newfoundlander.

When Valerie and I walked into the fields of Beaumont Hamel, it felt like home. It felt like we, as Newfoundlanders, were part of that place.

The iconic Caribou memorial and the Salt Box style interpretation centre certainly affirmed what we were feeling in our hearts. But looking out unto the trenches, battle field and cemetery, the warm feeling of home was chilled by the memory of the brutal realities of war. Standing near the famous “Danger Tree,” a landmark where the regiment was ordered to gather, the war cemetery loomed in the distance.

We read the names of many of the fallen Newfoundlander’s aloud as we prayerfully moved over that holy ground. And as we did, we had a great sense of being at one with the Newfoundlanders who lost their lives. At one with them in the one Life that is God. These are our dead. This is our land. This is our memorial. Yet as walking prayerfully around this beautiful and at the same time haunting memorial park, I was called to remember the German men who lost their lives there. At the far end of the memorial park, there is also a Scottish memorial for their fallen on that field and who eventually won the small plot of land. As I walked and sat and reflected (the bronze cast at the entrance to the park reads “Tread softly here! Go reverently and slow”), I had an expanding sense of the tragedy and senseless loss of life in war. And I had an expanding sense of being at one with not only the Newfoundlanders who lost their lives, but also with the Germans, the Scotts, and all who lost their lives at Beaumont Hamel. Much has changed in the world since 1916, yet the call to identify with the union of all souls and respect for all of life remains. Beaumont Hamel is our enduring memorial to that hope. 

Easter Love

Holy One

you call us to more.

Jesus suffers

and opens the way

to more union

with you.

From that place

of unitive life

my truest self

is without sin

my truest self

is worthy

and at one with Life.

From this calm depth

may the new creation

that I am

rise

and transform

my entire life

until I am only

Love.

Suffering Jesus

Suffering Jesus,
you offer yourself
on the cross

to set us free
from slavery
to sin,

to set us free
from the illusion
of being separate from God.

You gave your life
to reveal to us
that there is only
one life
one flow
that all share in.

It cannot be taken from us.

It is who we are.
It is what we are.

Suffering Jesus,
you offer yourself
on the cross

only to rise again,
the first fruit
of true life.

Drop the rock

         
             Who are you
            to judge another.

      You look on with distain
         a rock in your hand
         ready to condemn
         ready to sentence.

                Stoning!

                  Stone
               the woman.
                  Stone
               the sinner.
                  Stone
             all the sinners.
                  Stone
     all those who make mistakes.

                  Stone
                yourself.

                  If not,

             drop the rock!

I Share in Your I Am

Open Presence,
gentle and loving.

You invite me
into your embrace.

You call me
out of the noise and clutter of my mind
into the calm of your heart.

You are the door
through which I enter.

You are the energy
that draws me deeper.

You are the Spirit
revealing to me
that I share in your
I Am.