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The azure sky and verdant land meet quite afar Along a rippling line of undulating hills. It was so vast that I imagined myself consumed By a giant chthonic god in whose maw I was entombed.   And then again I found myself in a Daoist scape, So small and…

I took a handful of leaves to smell And pressed them gently against my face. What delight can be found in a silly thing. What joy like a child’s such play can bring.   The scent was not of frankincense or myrrh, But earthy, giving the sense a stir, And…

Beneath dressed stone of the medieval age, Enclosed in darkness lies the more ancient grave Of its sacred occupant, empty after three days, Through which Christ the Lord our sins forgave.   A garden and then a pagan fane To the Roman goddess of beauty and love Was founded upon…

Swirling and Swirling and Swirling and Swirling. Maelstrom to storm to the galaxy’s center. Turbulence, mayhem, confusion, disorder. In the beginning the earth was shapeless. Darkness covered the face of the deep. God said, “Let there be light.” And it was. Thence–order, calm, and arrangement Entered the world and kept…

We are now in the midst of the Lenten season.  At this time of year we devote ourselves with special emphasis and intention to the theme of repentance and renewal.  The entire life of the Christian is one of return to the Lord.  We are a people, who despite our…

Emptiness is a room without furniture. Emptiness is a chair where the beloved once sat. Emptiness is a graveyard.   Emptiness is a place where people should be, but are neither seen nor heard. Emptiness is a cityscape in shambles, a Dresden, Hiroshima, London, or the Bronx Emptiness is an…

The brazen eagle stood upon the sphere With wings outspread in readiness for flight, Upholding on its figure words of light, The faithful came with solemn hearts to hear.   As sacred text was heedfully proclaimed, A fiery burst obscured the avian perch And caused a gasp inside the crowded…

That day when I looked out, the branch was bare. The green before the empty winter left And caused my woeful heart to feel bereft. I could not bear this keen and wan despair.   So there I sat, reflective of my lot And wondered at the futile course of…

He turned aside to see the bush, Unconsumed and brightly burning. “”Moses, Moses,” to him addressed. “Here I am,” to God he confessed.   He did not look upon the Lord In fear he would that moment die. God’s face is so resplendent and bright, No human can endure the…

Power–surging, rushing–power. Over the brink and down the cliff To the turbulent water below. Spray fills the air–obscuring. A rainbow arches over all, A sign of promise–promising Us God’s faithfulness and strength.   Michael G. Tavella   .