Poetry

Where is Ruth?

Posted on August 4, 2014 by backfromtheborderlands

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!)

Categories: Gaza, God, Life, Love, Peace and Reconciliation, Poetry | Tags: , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Caught by Light

Posted on July 31, 2014 by backfromtheborderlands

A strip of loose birch bark

is catching the morning rays

 

A glowing lantern

high up in the tree

slowly diminishing in light

 

Only for a few moments

it held it’s rosy gold

 

The sunlight plays

through the forest

 

Who will I catch to

hold my light

 

Once caught

we hold the memory

and will never be the same

 

© 2014 Julie Clark

 

Categories: beauty, Poetry, Trees | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Healers

Posted on July 28, 2014 by backfromtheborderlands

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

Categories: borderlands, Faith, God, Hope, Life, Love, Poetry | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

All There

Posted on July 14, 2014 by backfromtheborderlands

It was all there

down at the beach today

we were hushed and in awe

at the glory in the rain

and in the sun

glory in the forest

and in the sea

glory in the fresh air

filling our lungs

in the wind

sweeping by

glory in the bright blue sky

and the deep dark clouds

glory in the walking

glory in the heron

chased into flight

by a pair of labs

glory in our pup

running back and forth

and glory

in the bald eagle

swooping near

 

© 2014 Julie Clark

 

Categories: beauty, Birds, Dogs, Life, Poetry, Trees | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Single Thread

Posted on June 14, 2014 by backfromtheborderlands

What seems tentative to me

A single thin thread of hope

May be fortified with unbreakable titanium

It may be just enough

to hold through a lifetime

I only see through a glass dimly

There is so much more

beyond my vision

at work in this universe

 

© 2014 Julie Clark

Categories: Faith, Hope, Life, Poetry | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment

A House Called Hope

Posted on June 6, 2014 by backfromtheborderlands

If I could build a house today

I would call it Hope

Despair has knocked my walls down

again

I have to start over

So easily I am leveled

So easily I let go

of the Strong Hand

 

Now I bow low

I cannot build this house alone

I have no tools

no knowledge of construction

I look at my hands

empty

yet

I see the Strong Hand

underneath

holding mine up

open to receive

 

© 2014 Julie Clark

Categories: Faith, God, Hope, Life, Poetry | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Reel

Posted on May 28, 2014 by backfromtheborderlands

One person

priceless

connecting to another

 

It’s a gift

and a guard

against loneliness

 

We are fully alive

when connected

three ways

God, another, ourselves

 

We are not made

to live

in isolation

 

A delicate dance

space and solitude

with

community and unity

 

We each have

our own unique steps

still learning my part in the Reel

 

© 2014 Julie Clark

Categories: God, Life, Love, Marriage and Family, Poetry | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Birdsong

Posted on May 3, 2014 by backfromtheborderlands

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I am paying close attention

to the birdsong

this spring.

They stop me at the window

in the yard

on a walk or

on the way to the car.

“We have something to say to you!”

“Are you listening?”

 

As a small girl

I would lie down in the cool

shaded grass

looking up into the green leaves

deciphering the birdsong

code –

the chattering, whistling,

singing from one branch

to another:

“Come to tea!”

“Don’t forget to feed your babies!”

 

Now they are singing

sweet reminders:

“Slow down,

no need to rush.”

“Don’t take life

so seriously.”

“Enjoy this moment with us.”

“We have a secret

we want to sing to you.”

 

© 2014 Julie Clark

 

Categories: beauty, Birds, Life, Poetry, Seasons, Trees | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments

Holy Saturday

Posted on April 19, 2014 by backfromtheborderlands

Haunted

 

We are haunted by the brutal cost of our redemption

Images of the One

Broken for us

Flashing across our waking minds

The blood everywhere

Poured out for us

Communion is a haunting

Remember me

© Julie Clark

Waiting for Easter

 

All we have are words

And the grief that overwhelms us

Hope is gone

We saw with our own eyes

Our grief tells us

He is dead

Yet

We have words

We will wait

With our grief by the tomb

© Julie Clark

Categories: Faith, God, Holy Saturday, Hope, Poetry | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Good Friday

Posted on April 18, 2014 by backfromtheborderlands

 

 

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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

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

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