Still life

We have taken many pictures of the now not-so-new kitten. We try to capture pictures for the daughter. The pictures hardly give the real picture. Still life with kitten...not so still.

Still life with kitten

Another thing entirely

Rarely still at all

Two Brothers

Jesus said: It's like this... two brothers, being asked to work in their father's vineyard. One said yes, and did not go. One said No, then reconsidered. Which one did the father's bidding? Not so hard to figure out what the right answer is... right? Two brothers, related by blood, related by blood. Still brothers after the yes. Still brothers after the no. Still brothers.

So many ways we have

To dismiss the world:

The real,

Even

The potential real.

So many ways we say

Not now

Meaning

Not ever.

So many ways we say

Yes

When we are really saying

No.

Oh we who dismiss

So many things

In God’s name.

So much better to struggle with No

Then reconsider

And reconsider again.

Hard-won things

Are often heart-won things:

Meant to be held lightly

Meant to be cherished

Meant to be held up to the light

Meant to be understood now

Only in part

In a mirror dimly

And then,

Only then,

Fully known.

Rushing

I am sitting in the church library.  At least five people have rushed around me, working to get more things done in a short amount of time.  It seems I cannot rush these days.  So I write pieces on the advantages of sitting still.  I try to convince myself.  I would still rather rush.  The sun just broke through the clouds.  I saw it.  

Everyone rushes,

It seems,

Except for me.

I have learned the value

Of sitting still

Not because I chose it.

No.

It chose me.

I would still

Rather rush.

Every time

I think of one more thing to do

First I must sit still

So it may rest in the place

Made for it,

One more thing

To be done

Or not.

Garlic soup

Today was a day with other plans.  Then I woke up to thunder and no electricity.  My computer had five minutes left of power in its battery.  I sneaked a yogurt out of the refrigerator.  The back yard was still.  So was I.  I contemplated garlic soup.  I am still contemplating garlic soup and the power has been on for four hours now.

This week brought

Tomatoes red and yellow,

A stapled brown bag

Of garlic.

I contemplate

Garlic soup.

Today is a day

For contemplation.

Once I assemble

The necessary ingredients

Tomorrow may bring

Execution.

Meanwhile a Cooper’s hawk

Stations himself

In the crab apple.

A squirrel sits frozen

On the fence.

A rabbit crouches motionless

Under a bush.

Today is a day

To be still.

Tomorrow may be different.

When I find it especially hard to keep still...

I don*t believe that God wishes any of us to be sick.  He doesn*t work that way.  Sometimes, though, it seems I am given things to tie me down, so I can hear Him/Her? breathing.  Today it*s a cold.

When I find it especially hard

To keep still,

I am given things

To tie me down.

The message seems to be

Don*t go gallivanting about.

Have a cup of tea.

Here*s a blanket.

Put your feet up.

I*ll just sit here,

Keep you company.

I will be so quiet

You will hardly know I*m here,

Unless of course

You keep really still.

Then you will hear me breathing.

When it is especially hard

To be still,

Like now,

I am invited to sit down.

When I don*t listen

I am given things to tie me down,

Like now.