Poetry

Peace Longings

I.

 

If only we could laugh together

With pure joy

If only we could play together

Running free

If only we could trust

and let go

If only kindness

Was at the top of our list

Instead of the unmentionables

Which I will not mention

Because you know,

They are blasted over us

Over and over until

We are numb

If only we were as

The little child stood in our midst

Clapping his hands

In glee

A smile that is wide and open

As the ocean-free

Forgiveness will bring us back

Home again

Given and received

And wipe away every tear

Root out all the bitterness

So the tender root of joy

Can push up it’s head

 

II.

 

Longing for Peace

Reconciliation, forgiveness

Starting fresh again

Prince of Peace – Come

Show us your ways

Teach us your paths

Help us to walk in the way

Of peace

A humble road

Admitting we have

Done wrong

Asking for forgiveness

Giving it

How we bungle these things

With pride, fear

Protecting ourselves

Our interests

Lay down these weapons

Lay them down

 

III.

 

How many tears

Can the oceans hold?

When will this violence

Cease?

What will stop the cycle?

More violence is not the answer!

Have we not learned that, yet?

It only prolongs and increases

The destruction and death.

We must wake up!

All must do the work

Of the farmer

Go back to the basics

Sow the seeds of peace

Tears of repentance

And forgiveness

The courageous ones

Will walk towards their enemies

With hands empty

Save for peace

This earth does not belong

To those who devour it

But to the Meek

The gentle of heart

The tide will turn

Wait for it

 

© 2016 Julie Clark

 

Categories: Faith, God, Hope, Life, Paths, Peace and Reconciliation, Poetry | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Wind is Calling

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The waves are breaking

Foaming on the shore

The sun is sparkling

White on the water

The tide is singing

As it reaches for more

 

You could sit here

And let the constant wind

Teach you

Or a protective little dog

Who hates to see

his pack separated

Unity, perhaps –

No one should be left behind

Stick together

It’s better,

Safer for all

 

The waves might be saying

I’m coming back for you

Are you open?

Are you ready?

 

The wind relentlessly blowing

Louder than a whisper

More of a roar

I’m taking in deep breaths

Of sea air

I’m hearing the call:

Come with me

I am ever present, ever moving

Though you do not see me

But you can fly on this current

If you let go

See the kites?

 

© 2016 Julie Clark

 

Categories: Dogs, Faith, Life, Poetry, Seasons | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Breaking

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This world is breaking

My heart

I can hardly breathe

Let alone write a poem

Something with a message

Pointing toward hope

 

This world is breaking

My heart

Not the first time,

Not the last

I am not the only one

Most are in anguish

 

This world is breaking

My heart

Who can we turn to

Who has words of life

Who has love

Stronger than death

 

© 2016 Julie Clark

Categories: Faith, Hope, Life, Love, pain, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lifting our eyes

Welcoming the Blues

Lifting our eyes, just in time to see the eagle soaring towards us and then turning away.

Silently above us, searching for fish.

It caught one down the beach and began to break it’s fast.

How many times have I only caught a glimpse?

How many times have I missed it all, head down, worrying some problem in my mind, not present to the moment?

Yet, the eagle is there, as are all the other messengers, whether I see them or not.

But, what joy, when I am expectantly scanning and searching for those messages sent my way.

Today it was an eagle and a seal and an extremely low tide.

It was meeting Michael from DC with his two young boys who reminded me of my grandsons.

It was Debra with her hairless dog making us laugh.

It was Munira, fighting cancer, out for some fresh sea air. We blessed her and prayed for her healing. She said God sent you to me today – the first day of Ramadan.

It was connecting with strangers who become friends, building community in our neighborhood.

Categories: beauty, Birds, Dogs, Faith, God, Life, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Celtic Blessing, by Paul Field

Favorite Trees

I came across this Poem/Blessing in my morning meditations today. He is saying, in a lovely way what we need to hear today. I sometimes use this website to awaken my soul in the morning. http://www.northumbriacommunity.org/offices/morning-prayer/

Go peaceful

In gentleness

Through the violence of these

Days.

Give freely.

Show tenderness

In all your ways.

 

Through darkness,

In troubled time

Let holiness be your aim.

Seek wisdom.

Let faithfulness

Burn like a flame.

 

God speed you!

God lead you,

And keep you wrapped around His

Heart!

May you be known by love.

 

Be righteous.

Speak truthfully

In a world of greed and lies.

Show kindness.

See everyone

Through heaven’s eyes.

 

God hold you,

Enfold you,

And keep you wrapped around His

Heart

May you be known by love.

 by Paul Field

Categories: Faith, God, Hope, Life, Love, Paths, Peace and Reconciliation, Poetry, Prayer | Tags: , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Which Way

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There are those

Who spread fear

Just as black ink

Splatters thick

across the paper

 

Then there are those

Doing the slow work

Of love

Meticulously erasing

The stain

One person at a time

And filling the space

With glorious colors

Where beauty can take shape

And life can grow again

 

Here is a suggestion

Instead of standing against

The “Other”

Come along side

Listen to their story

Sorrow and pain

Love and joy

Understand

They too are human

Just like you

 

How did this happen?

The bridges slowly built

With care and love

Years of hard work

Dynamited in seconds

Rubble of hate and fear

Left behind

An enemy came

And spread seeds of destruction

Instead of kernels of peace

Fingers stop pointing

Look instead to the heart

Am I a good neighbor?

Am I my brother’s keeper?

 

© 2016 Julie Clark

The Path to the Garden

Categories: beauty, Faith, growth, Hope, Life, Love, Paths, Peace and Reconciliation, Poetry | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Fresh New Day

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A fresh new day arrives

To discover

To explore

To be awake

To be alert

For signs and wonders

 

Will the breeze carry the whisper

Or an eagle soaring above

Will a salmon leap for joy

Or a child laugh with glee

 

Who will bring a message today

I never know

Until I open my eyes and ears

All senses tuned

Waiting

 

Will it be the notes of a song

The wagging tail of a dog

Will it be in a dance with my sweetheart

A kind word from a stranger

 

Will it be a longing in my heart

Pulling me

reminding me

as I examine sacred texts

That I am loved in this world and

my name is known

In another world

Another dimension of pure

Love and light

Piercing through

Here and now

 

© 2016 Julie Clark

Categories: beauty, Birds, Dogs, Faith, God, Love, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Seed

The Birch

the seed

dead and buried

slowly

throws off the decay

sprouts new life

to thrust through the soil

for air

for light

for life

becoming what it is

destined to be

flowering in beauty

bearing fruit

to nourish

all living creatures

© 2016 Julie Clark

Categories: beauty, growth, Hope, Life, Poetry, Trees | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Limitations

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I am but a part of the whole

I don’t need to

do everything

know everything

be everything

I just need to

do my part

know who I am

be who I am

As I take my place it is as if I’ve

caught a wave

found the current

flown onto the jet stream

This is a process

Not perfection

Pointed this way

Growing each day

Working and resting

Exerting effort

To become effortless

Watching

The master plan

Of my life

Intersect with the whole

Acceleration and

Exhilaration

Are the results

© 2016 Julie Clark

Categories: Faith, growth, Hope, Life, Paths, Poetry | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Good Friday

 

 

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I Thirst

I gave it all

My everything

Not one more drop left

Of me to give

Empty

And now

I thirst

© 2011 Julie Clark

For the sake of the One who thirsted, let us not neglect these who are suffering today.

christ in child

Good Friday: Seeing Christ in a Child

Categories: Faith, God, Good Friday, Lent, Life, Love, Peace and Reconciliation, Poetry, Prayer | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

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