April is national poetry month. So today I thought I’d share a few of my unpublished poems with you:
“Patience”
I took a stroll with Patience yesterday,
and asked how I could be more like her.
She said slowly, “Plant radishes… befriend a turtle… teach a child.”
“Proofs”
If like Aquinas
I had to list five proofs
for the existence of God,
I’d pick:
puppies… stars…
strawberries… yearnings…
and you!
“If You Wish to Snare Divinity”
If you wish to snare Divinity,
become a beggar.
Let go of all you have and are
and sit ragged
on the side of the road.
Live not with clenched fists,
but with open palms
eager to receive.
Shed once and for all
your illusion of self-sufficiency
and enter into that place
of deep need.
Cry out, if you must,
or simply sit mute
and wait.
Either way,
rest assured,
God comes.
“God as Beauty”
Of all the names we’ve given Thee,
my favorite one is Beauty:
That harmony of placement
coupled with sweet surprise,
delighting the ear,
enchanting the eyes,
stirring inner senses
not yet identified.
Beauty, that steady ray
by which I catch a glimpse of Thee,
that dear entanglement
by which Thou snareth me.
“Write a Poem in Ten Words”
Write a poem
In ten words?
I can’t.
I won’t.
I didn’t.
Did any of these poems peak to you today? If so, which… and how?
Do you ever write short poems like this? If so, would you like to share one with us?
PS: Three upcoming presentations of mine:
1) Retreat at the Sophia Center in Atchison, KS, May 15-20, 2018. Entitled “Prayer: Finding God in the Ordinary and the Amazing.” Check their website or call Sister Carol Ann at 913-360-6173 for more information.
2) Day of retreat and spiritual renewal, June 13, 2018 at Carondelet Hospitality Center in Latham, NY (Albany diocese). The day, designed especially for those involved in Pastoral Ministry, their colleagues, and friends, is entitled “Walking with the Heart of Christ…with Wonder, Courage, and Hope.” For more information email Maria Schollenberger at [email protected].
3) Retreat morning for the Catholic Women of the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama on August 18, 2018. Title is “Three Signs of a Healthy Spirituality: Friendship, Courage, Hope.” Call Sally at 205-223-8287 for details.
Most songs are simply poems set to music. Today’s song is by Laura Daigle and it’s called “Loyal.” For me, this song is a celebration if God’s love for us, a love that is “loyal,” that is, “unshaken, unfailing, unwavering.”
Do you have a response to any of the poems or the song today?
51 Responses
Dear Sr. Melannie,
The line about befriending a turtle speaks to me! As do the five proofs, and the beautiful poem about being a beggar of divine grace.
I’d like to share two small poems of my own, written about 20 years ago, during a dark time, but I think these poems are like wee candles, mitigating the darkness a bit. Neither poem bears a title, so I’ll merely number them.
1.
A tiny psalm:
I’m sick and sad–
but there is balm
in Gilead.
2.
God makes a home
in you
(incredible
but true!).
I see in your
sweet face
the dwelling-place
of Grace.
Lovely!
Thank you kindestly!
How nice to begin with two more poems! Thank you, Tom, for sharing your tiny poems with us. I liked especially the reminder of God’s “unbelievable” dwelling within us! Melannie
You’re welcome, Sr Melannie! I’m so glad that you found something to like in these wee small efforts!
Dear Melannie,
Thank you. A million thanks for the gift of your writing, for the gift of YOU! Your poem “If you wish to snare Divinity” toughed me deeply.
Thank you, Betty! Holding you in special prayer… Melannie
Great poems Sr. Melannie!
I liked the poem in 10 words. What fun!
God bless you.
Kathleen
Thank you, Kathleen. I like to have fun sometimes when I’m writing poetry! Melannie
God Bless you and thank you! Always interesting and inspiring are your words.
Barb
Thank you, Barb, for your interest in this blog. God bless you too! Melannie
Hi Sr. Melannie
Such great poems! Thank you for sharing their simplicity and significance with us.
Many blessings to you! Will keep your retreat and upcoming events in my prayers.
Nancy
Thank you for writing, Frederico. Maybe I’ll see you at one of the events! Melannie
Years ago, I lived it a Sister who could not abide “modern” music.
She once quipped: “If you forget the second line, sing the first.
They’re much the same!” I am with her. However, your relating
the words as a description of God’s love for us does bear repeating.
For that and for your short poems, thank you!
Dear Dorothy, I enjoyed your little anecdote… You’re welcome… and thank you for responding to this blog. Melannie
Blessings on your upcoming presentations, Melannie. The participants will be blessed.
Thank you, Janet! I appreciate the prayers! Melannie
Patience…..patience……patience……..patience……….a thousand times patience. Thank you, Sister. And Lauren Daigle is amazing, isn’t she?
Happy Easter.
Ed J.
Dear Ed, Yes, I need patience too… And I like Lauren Daigle’s songs too! Thank you for writing! Melannie
Melannie…thanks so much for your blog…I share it with many others…and today I was moved to share the poem below…count on my prayers for your coming retreats…
Shadows of God’s Presence
I walked in the stillness of the morning
on my way to Eucharist.
The snow falls in the silence of
untrodden streets.
The darkness is only cut by the
street lights above and
as I walk through the freshly
fallen snow I see moving shadows
before my path
–small, almost imperceptible.
I look up in awe realizing they
are the shadows of snowflakes.
And I know I have received
Eucharist even before I
walked through the church doors.
Dear Josephe, I loved your poem! Seeing the shadows of the snowflakes must have been an awesome sight… And yes, Eucharist takes many different forms–as you so beautifully noted! Thank you for sharing your poem with us! Melannie
Your poem is an excellence … and a grace! Thank you for posting it!
“If You Wish To Snare Divinity” was beautiful. Very touching…thank you.
And thank you for reading my blog and responding, Beverly! Melannie
I liked all of the poems but especially “ Patience” (which I often lack) and “Proofs” although I think mine would read: Puppies …..music…..blackberries…..water…..and you.”
“If You Wish to Share Divinity” disturbed me because I have so far to go.
I’d like to share a poem which I wrote and set to music for my youngest daughter about 40 years ago. We were in a rest room with ceiling to floor mirrors and she was just beginning to stand. She was fascinated by her reflection and was moving her palm open hands around on the mirror.
“Mandy Rose”
There’s my Mandy Rose.
Standing on her toes,
looking in the mirror,
wondering if she’s really here.
There goes my Mandy Rose.
Thank you, Jean, for sharing the delightful experience you had with little Mandy and the mirror. Children can find delight in things we adults often take for granted. The fact that you wrote a poem about this little incident shows how much it touched you! Melannie
Thanks for the beautiful poetry; loved it all but especially the line, “live not with clenched fists but with open palms to receive.” There is so much to receive from God, others, creation, circumstances in life. God is lavish in God’s love.
Heart full of grief
Butterfly sits on my hand
Sign of resurrection.
A heavy burden
Hot air balloons in the sky
God lifts up my soul.
A bubbling brook
Rhythm of my heartbeat
We are one.
Dear Margaret, I loved your simply little poems… Great truths are conveyed in so few words… and using a specific image too. Lovely! (Readers: Margaret is my cousin!) Thanks for sharing, Margaret! Melannie
“If You Wish to Snare Divinity “ is both beautiful & gut wrenching. Thank you for sharing your awesome talent w/ us.
And thank you for responding, Fran! I appreciated your phrase :gut wrenching…” Melannie
Sister Melannie,
Your talents are never-ending!!
Thank you for always sharing and always enlightening.
Have a wonderful week.
Thank you, Jean, for your encouragement! I appreciate your response. Melannie
Lovely poem about Patience!
Here’s one of mine:
Starry starry night
Pinpricks of wonderful Light
That must be beyond
Dear Karen, I find you little poem simply yet lovely! Thanks for sharing it with all of us!
You never fail to bring me to the wonders of God’s constant reminder of Her presence. I call them “wildflowers”(esp. people who are surprises in my life, ex. I needed a quarter to take the bus this morning but needed change, so I asked a young man at the stop if he had change for a dollar he did not but had a quarter which he kindly gave me = God’s wildflower. At night prayer I then put all the flowers in a bouquet and present them to. God in gratitude. Oh there are some dried flowers in there too. They are those who kept passing by. Just saying. I know you will be this to all who attend your retreats and talks and your blogs. Do not forget the geese.
,
Dear Marty, I like the idea of dubbing God’s surprises in life as “wildflowers.” How beautiful! Thanks for sharing the idea and the practical examples from your life. Melannie
“God as Beauty” There is much to think about in this beautiful poem, especially the line “that dear entanglement by which Thou snareth me.” There is beauty all around us which must be acknowledged in order to be enlivened by it, just as Beauty is all around us, and to be fully alive in Him, we must acknowledge Him and be willing to be ensnared by Him. Thank you, Sr. Melannie.
Thanks, Pat, for reminding us that we must “acknowledge” the beauty around us and not simply take it (or God) for granted. Melannie
My choice is God as Beauty. Just to live where that picture was taken. Your poem describes my feelings every time I see a view such as this. I’m in awe of the mystery.
I too simply loved that photo that I found on Pixabay. I could gaze at it for hours! Thanks for writing, Linda! Melannie
Good Evening, Melannie!
Such beautiful poems! Loved them all, but especially “If You Wish to Snare Divinity.” “Shed once and for all/your illusion of self-sufficiency/and enter into that place/of deep need…..” Yes, yes we must!
Happy Easter! PS: the song was terrific!
It’s always good to hear from you, John! Thank you for sharing the words that especially touched you. Melannie
“If You wish to Snare Divinity” spoke to me. Not sure I am brave enough but it gave me pause. thanks Sister!
Yes, Anita, if I lived this poem, I would need a large dose of bravery too! Thanks for writing. Melannie
Melannie,
I enjoyed this sampling of your poetry. I hope they get published some day.
I related to the image of snaring God by becoming a beggar. And, as soon as I can get my hands in the soil without freezing them, I have a packet of radish seeds ready for planting!
Dear Tom, May your radishes grow nice and slow too… Thanks for responding! Melannie
Dear Sister Melanie, thank you for making Monday mornings so enjoyable! Love your blog and today your poetry. Also thank you for the beautiful selections of music, especially today as I’ve loved that piece but didn’t know the name of who sang it. Now I do and will look for more of her heartfelt voice. God is abundantly patient and always has surprises for us…thank you for sharing your insights and faith.
I appreciate your kind words, Barbara… and thank you for reminding us of God’s abundant patience! Melannie
Thank you, Sr. Melannie, for sharing your poetry. I am very much looking forward to your retreat at the Sophia Center. Here is one of my poems.
“Gratitude”
Grateful for gifts,
Raise prayers of thanksgiving to God.
All is gift.
Thank you is sufficient
If prayer from a grateful heart.
Take nothing for granted,
Understand God’s unconditional love.
Desire to give as gift what has been given.
Eternal life, the final gift, awaits.
Dear Barb, What a tender and wise little poem. Thank you for sharing it with us! I look forward to meeting you at the Sophia Center in Atchison, KS in May! Melannie
Thank you so much for always blessing me with your wonderful newsletter, with your stories, poems, scriptures and music.
What a blessing you are Sister Melannie.
I will be 97 years young in May and you bring me great joy.
God bless you.