John McPhee - Draft No. 4 |
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
John McPhee - Draft No. 4
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Grand Canyon
I just returned from a
trip to the Grand Canyon. Because I have a dog, I couldn’t get down into the
Canyon, but I was able to take a wonderful long hike from the Village out to
Hermit’s Rest along the South Rim. It felt like an otherworldly experience, as
though I were not only stepping back in geological time but also entering a
world uniquely its own. The words that came to my mind to describe the
experience and the views were “majestic,” “magnificent,” magical,”
‘mysterious.” Regardless of one’s religious inclinations, the Canyon is
definitely a spiritual space, one that touches one and moves one to the core. I
will be forever grateful that I now have those astonishing vistas as part of
the furniture of my imagination – to nurture and inspire and heal.
Friday, October 20, 2017
A Found Poem
Seamus Heaney |
The famous Irish poet Seamus Heaney was not particularly religious, but this poem gives us a glimpse into the power of the liturgy for him and the words that comprise it. The words may appear simple, but their pull is profound “like well water far down.”
A Found Poem
Like everybody else, I bowed my head– Seamus Heaney (2005)
during the consecration of the bread and wine,
lifted my eyes to the raised host and raised chalice,
believed (whatever it means) that a change occurred.
I went to the altar rails and received the mystery
on my tongue, returned to my place, shut my eyes fast, made
an act of thanksgiving, opened my eyes and felt
time starting up again.
There was never a scene
when I had it out with myself or with another.
The loss of faith occurred off stage. Yet I cannot
disrespect words like ‘thanksgiving’ or ‘host’
or even ‘communion wafer.’ They have an undying
pallor and draw, like well water far down.
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