revdrejt1832

Foreign

The photo above only tells a small part of a much larger and longer story. 27years ago I too stood in line waiting my turn to enter the Immigration building in Kansas City. A small unattractive building exuding no sense of welcome or generous hospitality. As I stood in line I knew I was oneContinue reading “Foreign”

Leisure

Today, I am trying to truly pause and ponder. Amidst the busyness of our days, our many lists and our much hurrying, suddenly the day is gone and we are too tired even to reflect on the hours that have come and gone so swiftly. In contrast to my last post, Carol Ann Duffy’s poemContinue reading “Leisure”

“winds of change”

The month of May ushers in much excitement for our school aged grandchildren. Only a few more weeks and the school year will be over! Already they are wondering which teacher they might have come mid August! How fast a school year opens and closes. Certainly, these past two years of school have been hardContinue reading ““winds of change””

Cleaning Windows!

It’s not a mistake to find the book Lit Up Inside amongst my books of poetry. Some might think that a book of song lyrics by Van Morrison doesn’t belong squeezed between Billy Collins and Mary Karr and a few shelves away from Betjeman, Stevens and Larkin! I like where I have placed it. SongContinue reading “Cleaning Windows!”

“He sits at the window”

Images of the earth are always stirring! The beauty of photographs from space over decades have fueled imagination many times over. Satellite photography reveals much to us, and offers a warning regarding the spoiling of the delicate balance in which our earth hangs within a complex solar system. “Earth Day” draws attention for a momentContinue reading ““He sits at the window””

Resurrection

Celebrating Easter Day in the company of others for the first time in over two years brought with it much joy and jubilation. Yet still we wrestle with “masks” as the virus’ insidious presence lingers amongst us. We wonder if there will ever be a post pandemic moment! Over the past few weeks I haveContinue reading “Resurrection”

Easter

Easter By Gerard Manley Hopkins Break the box and shed the nard;°Stop not now to count the cost;Hither bring pearl, opal, sard;Reck not what the poor have lost;Upon Christ throw all away:Know ye, this is Easter Day. Build His church and deck His shrine,Empty though it be on earth;Ye have kept your choicest wine—Let itContinue reading “Easter”

“Jesus Wept”

Those of you who are regular readers of this blog are by now quite familiar with Malcolm Guite. I find his words and wisdom inspiring and enlightening. In the middle of this Holy Week I am quoting from Malcolm’s introduction to his sonnet Jesus Wept. The world is a heavy place at present so pleaseContinue reading ““Jesus Wept””

Kneeling

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Church of Scotland, Sutherland, (photo above) is where I served from 1983-1988. A beautiful white stoned building and if those walls could speak perhaps they would tell stories, not so much of ministers, but of village folk who from birth to death lived believing, lived praying, lived hoping. Their faith andContinue reading “Kneeling”

“waves run wavering up the sand”

It is 38 years since I visited Orkney, and can recall that visit as if it was yesterday. Skara Brae is truly as beautiful as the photo above shows. In my last post I mentioned in passing the poet and novelist Owen Sheers. This prompted me to pull from my shelf his book A PoetsContinue reading ““waves run wavering up the sand””