Mysteries, Yes
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the
mouths of the lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds
will never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the
scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.
Let me [...]
Posted in Poetry | 6 Comments »
It is the time of the great migrations; wild winged ones fly in ragged formations away from the summer fields of plenty, down from the tundra, up from the tropics, ordinary hearts beating against the winds, resisting the updrafts, into the storms, through the autumnal fogs that hide the hunters and the seductions of [...]
Posted in Poetry | No Comments »
___________________________________
AWAKENING THE CREATIVE SPIRIT:
Bringing the Expressive Arts to Spiritual Direction
is currently in stock at Amazon.com -
Order a copy full of ideas and inspirations for bringing the arts to soul care ministries!
___________________________________
*REGISTER FOR THE SUMMER SESSION*
July 19-August 29, 2010
The early registration discount is extended until March 10th ($125 per class instead of $150)
There [...]
Posted in Poetry, Visual Meditation | 2 Comments »
i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and you [...]
Posted in Lenten Online Retreat, Poetry | 3 Comments »
Valentine for Ernest Mann
You can’t order a poem like you order a taco.
Walk up to the counter, say, “I’ll take two”
and expect it to be handed back to you
on a shiny plate.
Still, I like your spirit.
Anyone who says, “Here’s my address,
write me a poem,” deserves something in reply.
So I’ll tell a secret instead:
poems hide. In [...]
Posted in Lenten Online Retreat, Poetry | 1 Comment »
** Stop by last Monday’s post to find out more about 50% for Haiti **
© Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts:
Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts
Posted in Photos, Poetry | 3 Comments »
I wrote this poem in my journal on Sunday and discovered this morning that a former student died suddenly yesterday. I offer this here in honor of Rob and for all those who are grieving for a multitude of losses:
___________________________________________
***
Let it Be Winter Still
Let it be winter a while longer,
Let darkness be my closest companion
cradling [...]
Posted in Grief, Photos, Poetry | 19 Comments »
Inside everyone
is a great shout of joy
waiting to be born.
Even with the summer
so far off
I feel it grown in me
now and ready
to arrive in the world.
-David Whyte (excerpted from “Winter of Listening”)
Thank you to everyone who participated in this week’s Poetry Party on the theme of “Sharing Our Deepest Joy” – make sure to pour [...]
Posted in Fun, Poetry | 1 Comment »
(Photo taken in Squamish, BC – quote discovered while on pilgrimage)
* Crossing the Threshold: New Year, New Beginnings will be available early next week – order your copies for holiday gifts today! *
© Christine Valters Paintner at Abbey of the Arts:
Transformative Living through Contemplative & Expressive Arts
Posted in Photos, Poetry | 3 Comments »
As I began this year I had an encounter with a flock of pigeons which lifted my heart unexpectedly and then I found a feather on my doorstep. And so “Taking Flight” became my image for the year ahead. On my recent pilgrimage, winged ones – both avian and angelic – were significant symbols for [...]
Posted in Nature, Photos, Pilgrimage, Poetry | 9 Comments »
