The 60-Second Sabbath

When One Writes a Poem

initially you just vomit on the page
the body mind heart psyche
dumping pumping purging
the undigested mixture
of potential toxins
out through the pen tip
just to be rid of it
just to keep it from being absorbed unheeded unsorted
into the organs and limbs and life of you

now at least you have a chance
to decide pick choose rearrange
discard discover leave store
or just greedy hungry
suddenly feeling cavernous ravenous
scoop some back up to re-digest 
maybe binge
it's so beautiful after all

but first to see it and understand it
or at least feel the wonder of it
before gorging because you want to this time
because it really is you and true magnificent
in a funny creepy sacred wondrous
repellent useful way

Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. 

Why?

Why do I do the things I do?
Why do I think the things I think?
Why do I feel the way I feel?

Little one, never fear the questions.

Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. 

Take Me with You

When was the last time
you spent an hour
in sacred bliss?
When and where and how?

Next time,
take me with you.

Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. 

The Lord's Prayer, Stanza 7

It's all yours--
every scattered, incomprehensible nebula,
every iotic jot and tittle,
union, vigor, repute,
now and always,
with us or without.

Let it be so.
Let it be so.

 Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.

 

The Lord's Prayer, Stanza 6

Lure,
seduce,
bewitch us

with purity,
laughter,
clam-happy bliss.

Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.

The Lord's Prayer, Stanza 5

Let forgiveness flow,
sweet and sticky like honey,
oozing over us,
spilling onto others
smeared and gooey,
forever gunking up
the machinery of resentment.

Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.

 

The Lord's Prayer, Stanza 4

What we need today
is far less than we imagine.

 Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.

 

The Lord's Prayer, Stanza 3

We yearn for your vision of wholeness
to become our reality.
Erase our pretended perimeters
between this life and the next.

We embrace the creation of Paradise--
here, now--
as our Greatest Commission.

Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.

The Lord's Prayer, Stanza 2

We shall relate to you
and to one another--
with awe,
with honor,
with respect.

Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.

 

The Lord's Prayer, Stanza 1

Caring One
dwelling in heaven (yes, certainly),
but more outstandingly here--
between        within        among--
you are ours
(not mine, not anyone's specifically,
but rather thoroughly, completely, all of)
ours
without proviso, clause or exception. 

Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.