LOST AND FOUND

A stone falls
on the ground
at my feet.
Unsure of its source,
I pick it up
and hold it
in my hand.
Rounded, grey and white
with specks of pink and black,
I roll it around,
feeling its smooth surface
well-worn by rain.
Even as I toss it in my hand
to gauge its heft,
I feel connected to the earth.
Rubbing it against my face
the coolness soothes me.
Lost boy home
dances in his barefeet.

HOME

When I’m at my desert home,
I can see the tree where God lives.
Rust and copper stain the hills,
watercolored solid stone.

God’s creation pierces my heart,
wordless beauty engenders awe,
causing me to fall on solid ground
to listen closely to earth’s heartbeat.

A measured pace breathes between
my inner and outer God.
Moved to sing the eternal song
imprinted in my soul,
I simply move my feet and dance.

REACHING OUT

As that long tunnel appears
and the blinding flash of light
draws me home, I cross
into a world devoid of color.
I search in vain
for a drop of blood
to soothe my anxious heart.
But soon, gentle sepia
lulls me to sleep.
When later, I awaken
and open my eyes
gentle faces greet me,
open arms envelope me
and together we continue
our timeless dance.

(poem inspired by photograph provided by and used with permission of

Christine Valters Paintner - www.abbeyofthearts.com)

THE PATH SHIMMERS

Then He said, "Do not come near here;
remove your sandals from your feet,
for the place on which you are standing
is holy ground." – Exodus 3:5

Otherworldly, the ground appears
not of this earth.
Footprints are easily left behind
to mark our presence
for the pilgrims who will follow. But bare feet speak up;
neither tread, nor sole nor straps instead, the glorious
bottoms of our feet letting those who come after us know
we danced a shimmering path on holy ground.

(poem inspired by photograph taken by and used with

permission of Christine Valters Paintner

(www.abbeyofthearts.com)).