Category Archives: Poetry

Genesis 41

— When the Time Comes The Nile at dawn.Seven fat cows rising from the reeds,seven lean ones after them,and the lean ate the fatand looked no fuller. Seven full ears on one stalk,seven scorched by the east wind. A dream … Continue reading →

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Genesis 40

— The Dreams We Carry in the Dark Two sad faces at morningbehind the same prison wall,one who poured the king’s wine,one who baked the king’s bread. Palace and prison,two worlds,and sorrow had led them bothto one floor. * “Why … Continue reading →

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Genesis 39

— The God Who Was With Him A strange tongue in his ears,a stranger’s house,a slave’s sandals on his feet. And one plain line of Scripturefalling like light through a high window:The Lord was with Joseph. * Not after the … Continue reading →

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In the Evening of Election Day

Crimson spreads across the west. The eastern edge bleeds softly, pale stars on blue, stripes of red and tender white, a flag the sky hangs out by itself. Flower scent, caught in the teeth of the dark, drifts sideways on … Continue reading →

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Genesis 38

— The Woman Who Would Not Disappear A seal.A cord.A staff.Three ordinary thingsheld in a widow’s lap,waiting for the hourof their speaking. * Judah went downfrom his brothers.Er died.Onan refused her a future,and died. “Wait in your father’s houseuntil Shelah … Continue reading →

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Traveling to Normal

– in the Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee State Park We ran one hundred ten milesacross the globeto Spencer, Tennessee,two hours awayfrom the familiar world. Then, step by step,only 0.35 miles down,we enteredthe deep heart of hell. Forty-five minutes descending,with … Continue reading →

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Genesis 37

— The Dream in the Pit A robe of many colorscatching the Canaan light,seventeen years old,not yet knowingwhat a dream can cost. * A father’s love, unevenly poured,like wine served to one guestwhile the rest wait thirsty. The brothers saw.They … Continue reading →

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Eyes of the Poet

Seeing the bones of feelings,tasting the heights and depths,the nearness and the distance,the far and the near. For a while,wandering through the forest,lost within its silence,singing with the treesand letting tears flowinto the streams. Let the words from these bonesgrow … Continue reading →

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All Saints’ Sunday

– The Ever-Now Ring the bell,once for each namethat walked ahead of us. Light the candle,not for absence,but because lovestill knows how to shine. * Last night the streets wore masks.Laughter wandered under the moon. Now morning lifts the veil. … Continue reading →

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Genesis 36

— The Generations We Do Not See Red stew,red earth,a hunger traded in a single afternoon —and from that bowla nation: Edom. * The land could not holdtwo brothers’ flocks.So one turned toward Seir. Not every parting is a wound.Some … Continue reading →

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