Monday, August 31, 2009

Sincere Cliches for Elul

you and I, God
are one in the same
and complete strangers

soulmates and magnets repelling
a chromosome of spirit separates
an everblooming seed

eternally and simultaneously
potential and completion
accompanied and alone

you and I, God
need each other
to recognize ourselves

Monday, August 24, 2009

23 Headlines and a Cartoon Bubble

hoping this new rush pans out
US fights the clock
easier said than done

tax idea gaining weight
art hits new heights
is latest curse to check in

a gift and how
we might pay for it
in the gun-selling business

justices weigh major shift
stir up rough seas
attack killer rapist

mired in fear
yes, in theory
a record of safety worries

voters' fingers cut off
secret burials reported
chief slams release

militant lays down arms
shifts tactics
would-be assassin is freed

network fears crackdown
poisoning sparks investigation
okay, pull the plug

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Spirit Lust

(from the collection Wanton Psalms)

I only want to
rub my heart
and rifle through your cards

catch your eyes
in action

slightly more expansive
I seek your face
everywhere

avoiding too loud
in the hope
of hearing your silence

my unrequited spirit lust
searches for a long pause
is that the problem

is my vacuous desire
my human ache
showing too plainly

a sting brings back the purpose
chaos vision
eloquence astounds

meaningless and all that's true
the wonder of how to
embody

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

a beautiful Hadith

from the collected oral tradition of Islam, this teaching highlights religious commonality:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "For the Jews (the day designated by God for communal prayer) was Saturday, and for the Christians it was Sunday. And God turned toward us (Muslims) and guided us to Friday (as the day of communal prayer). In fact, (God) made Friday, Saturday and Sunday (as days of prayer)."

Sahih Muslim, Hadith 417

An Elul Poem

Back to Work

there I think
of your known elements
and how we will soon begin again--

words unnecessarily split
from meaning and sweet sound
amuse but require

all elements to move--
needs the unseen
unfelt touch

to loose the chord--
your vellum face
over my environment

fades but my eyes
will not forget
nor unfog

I feel and not feel
see and not see
you and not you

--my methods
means and devices
are primitive and paltry

my intention in contrast
shift the mother angle
toward the beloved

with me--I will--
move the elements
I can touch

we will soon begin again