Could it be
as simple as
paying attention
to the messages
God sends me
every day
and
loving
those put in
my path?
The messages
(love notes really)
delight me
and call forth
gratitude and
praise.
The loving part
stretches me
to become
more of the person
I am meant to be
and strengthens
the other
on their
journey.
Strengthened bonds
build communities
and the world
becomes a better
place
for all to live.
© 2015 Julie Clark
The full moon called you
You answered and came to us
Leaving the warm secure
for the adventure of life and love
We are so glad you are here
No one like you has ever been
or ever will be
Unique beautiful creation
You
I love how I can see both your parents
in your beautiful face
I cannot wait
to hold you
breathe in your fresh scent
straight from heaven
© 2015 Julie Clark
I am novice when it comes to crocheting. I’m making some progress in and learning new things slowly in what my daughter calls “Venture Crocheting”. That is the kind of crocheting where you don’t really follow a pattern just your instincts. Sometimes it works for simple things, sometimes it doesn’t. I am making a baby blanket for her new baby arriving sometime in February. I got the basic pattern down for a nice little blanket for him. The one thing I did not do, which I am learning now I should always do, is roll the yarn into a ball first. I’ve had two incidents now where I have gotten my yarn all in knots and it has taken me much time and help to get it unravelled.
The other day we were visiting friends in their lovely mountain home. A great time to bring out my blanket. It was cold outside, nice and warm inside, great conversation and food. Unfortunately, I had one of those times where my yarn got all in a jumble. It was bad. Fortunately, my friends kindly volunteered to help out. Some of them more willing than others. We we will not mention any names or gender here. The interesting conversation we were having did not exactly stop. We were talking about peace and peacemaking. How can we be peacemakers in our world filled with conflict?
As we were unravelling my knotty yarn, I thought about the knotty problems we were just talking about. Wars, conflict, ethnic cleansing, apartheid situations that are happening today. It was a great metaphor as we worked together and didn’t give up, hopeful that the yarn truly would be unknotted. And finally it was.
I thought how for the sake of our children and grandchildren we must do this work and not let the world “go to hell in a handbasket.” There are obstacles and often it seems impossible. There are naysayers who don’t believe it is possible, just cut it off (the yarn)! But how often do we want to cut people off? Or worse?
What if we all were engaged in some way with bringing “peace on earth, good will towards men” and not just waiting for the angels to do it? What if we all have a part in the world we live in or we are called to serve? What if the great areas of conflict were addressed with “faith, hope and love”? What if we practiced forgiveness and truly learned how to “live in peace with each other”? I’m quoting lots of Bible verses here that some will recognize. Sometimes we who claim to be followers of the Prince of Peace are missing a really important part of the message that He brought us.
I was encouraged in my little yarn fiasco. I have learned a lesson about rolling my yarn ahead of time. I also had faith and hope it could be worked out. I had done it before. I want to have this kind of faith and hope when I approach conflict today. “All things are possible for those who believe.” It is hard work and takes time and perseverance. For the sake of our children and grandchildren let us do our part, small or great in this good work of peacemaking.
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Falling into this world
I lost my union with the Holy One
Naked and alone
Insecure and afraid
If only I could shed this fear and anxiety
like the snake its skin or the trees their leaves in the fall
If only I could slough off the what ifs and worse case scenarios
forming in my thoughts as I scan the perimeters of my life and those I care for
The One called Love came to me first in a thought and then a dream
When I called his name the fear vanished and I was not alone
This One kept calling and calling and continues this day
restoring the union that was lost
Whenever the fear stalks in the night or confronts me in the day
if I but rest in the arms of this Love
I know I am clothed, safe and secure
Never alone, never abandoned
The circle complete again
(c) 2014 Julie Clark
Beloved Ones are like
a cabin in the woods
A safe place to stop
along the journey home
Warm fire of family
of being oneself
No need to cloak
my vulnerability
Or hide my face
in a mask
Feast and refresh
take the nourishment
Rest for the next leg of the road
be it stoney or steep
Another cabin will appear
a light in the window
Will beckon me
when needed most
© 2014 Julie Clark
This life is more than it seems,
we know.
More than these mortal bodies.
More than the eye can see,
the ear can hear,
we’ve been told.
Follow the path
ahead of you.
When all seems blocked
or obscured –
wait.
Revelation will come,
light will shine,
a voice will speak,
or cloud will surround
and open the way
for you to go.
Transformation
or Transfiguration
will expand
your heart and life
to carry more
love and glory.
© 2014 Julie Clark
We will never be completely whole
while we are in our bodies
but we can help ease each other’s pain
when we love one another
Tastes of heaven along the way
given in various forms
depending on the gift and giver
spur us onward with healing and hope
The homesickness deep within
will always pull us towards our origin
to the day when we will be reunited
face to face with Love
May we let love grow and have it’s way
choose it every day, every chance we get
preparing in advance for
that glorious reunion
© 2014 Julie Clark
Where is Ruth?
It is hard to say
Love has grown cold
Now she is hiding away
Violence in the streets
The children cry
The strong take little notice
While the helpless die
Mercy is her sister
She has all but disappeared
without the both of them
It is Ruthless, as we feared
© 2014 Julie Clark
(Ruth means compassion. As I reflect on the shocking violence in Gaza I wonder how the world allows compassion to be so overrun by ruthless leaders. How easily we forget that violence brings more violence. If we live by the sword, we will die by the sword. The end never justifies the means. They are one. May God have mercy on us all!)
They are gifted.
Connected creatively
to Creator
in various ways.
Using minds,
eyes, ears, hands,
and heart
to bring Loves touch
to the sick,
the hurt,
the traumatized.
Thanks be to God
who folded healing
into creation
to be discovered
and used to love
His beloved,
each one of us.
Why do we think
our culture’s forms
of healing are the only
or the best?
Fear of the unknown
perhaps.
Grateful to find
unexpected
gifts of healing for
my body and soul.
© 2014 Julie Clark
These are the four poems I read at Nathan and Sarah’s wedding this last Saturday in Dubach, Louisiana. The first I wrote for Michael and Analia’s wedding in Tarija, Bolivia in 2009. The second I wrote for Suzie and Lich’s wedding on Whidbey Island in Washington State in 2010. The third I wrote when Nathan and Sarah were about to graduate from Tien Shan International School in Kazakhstan in 2009. The final poem was written in 2014 especially for Nathan and Sarah’s wedding.
Love is a choice I make today
Oh joyous day finally arrived
Long waited for dreams come true
Songs filling the air and our hearts
We choose love today.
The dance begun with timid steps
Continues on ever stronger
Each step uniting us closer together
Oneness and unity belong to us
We choose love today.
Each new day will come
Some with joy, some with pain
Love is patient
Love is kind
Remember the ancient words
They are life
Strong medicine when the heart feels sick
Love is a choice we make each day.
© 2009 Julie Clark
The story began
Long before you opened your eyes or breathed your first breath
Love has always been
In the Ancient Circle of Three
As the nature of love is to grow and be given away
It will never diminish, but multiply from generation to generation
As each new set of lovers take their place in the dance,
Unique in wonder and glory,
They replay the original heartbeat of the universe in their steps
It’s true
Our wildest and best dreams
Love is at the center
Not perfected in us yet
We see only dimly through a glass
But each choice to love brings closer the time
When love will rule the day
And there will be no more darkness
No more night
So take your place young lovers
Follow the wind of the Spirit
Who will lead you on
Choose love each and every day
For one another and for all those who enter your circle
As surely as the sun rises each day
The world will be brighter and lighter
Because you two have joined the dance
© 2010 Julie Clark
Love Has Time (Fridge Poetry)
Love has time
For summer music
Playing magically
Like moonlight
Bouncing upon the night
Love has time
To wait
For blossoms in their buds
To spread forth into the light
And say “I am here in all my glory”.
© 2009 Julie Clark
Who knew?
That waiting would take this long?
That your lives would weave together again
Who knew?
That your hopes and dreams had to die and be buried?
That a surprise resurrection was coming?
Who knew?
That there were tender eyes watching?
That there were strong hands guiding and weaving?
Who knew?
That you would be invited to join together in the great dance of love?
That you would hear the invitation and say yes?
Who knew? God knew and now we all know!
Let the source of all Love teach you now how to love one another.
© 2014 Julie Clark
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