after all hallows eve &
all saints, all souls
i admit my longing for
slowing, resting.
i name my dreams
and groan in prayer.
"i sense an invitation
in this season."
toss and turn
grab the remote
recheck
the vote count
the headlines
recheck
the heartaches
recheck
reality
lost hopes, now hallowed:
the mighty remain mighty
although their optics
are all off.
tyrants turn
themselves
inside out,
shed skins &
expose plots.
there is a message
in the faces
of those who do not see
the mess we are in.
who was succumb
to the fierce
pace of restlessness?
who was slave
to the demands
of the din?
was it me?
is this a time
for lamenting?
is this a season
for repenting?
under the dark sky
in late afternoon
i look for little
illuminations.
Spirit — she sneaks,
whispers:
"be thoughtful,
be careful,
now is the time
for deepening."
when i am
underground
i must accept
the pressure
the weight
the darkness.
the risk of
mystery:
no maps
no menus
no certainty.
swimming in deep water
takes strength, energy
constant attention
to breath
to movement
to surroundings.
depth, though, reveals
glowing wonders
like flaming altars
and secret cathedrals
in holy places
there are holy answers
in the depth:
trust
love
truth
hope
plus fresh
opportunity.
invitation
accepted.
The heavy metal door bangs behind me, the electric buzz locks the bolt in place. After a pause, another door buzzes and is unlocked, controlled by a police officer sitting near a video monitor in another room. I cross the florescent-lit linoleum and open the next heavy metal door, making my way through this threshold…
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