faulker020

I am currently reading one of the most exciting books I have read in a long time, Sophia: The Hidden Christ of Thomas Merton   by Christopher Pramuk. I found out about the book while I was reading Merton's poem, " Hagia Sophia ." The book touches upon many of my own interests. I could try to tell you about it but instead I will refer you to a review of the book by Catholic priest and peace/environmental advocate, John Dear in an article for the National Catholic Reporter, " Living our theology with Merton's feminine image of God . "  The Witness of Abraham Heschel I recently read a passage in Sophia: The Hidden Christ of Thomas Merton in which the author is quoting Rabbi Abraham Heschel. I found Heschel’s words to ring true from my experience as they may to some of you who are involved in a spiritual practice. The writing is dated in that he uses “man” where current writers would use “humans,” or “humanity,” but he captures very well the moments in prayer w...

From the YouTube site: "An unprecedented union of the two greatest living jazz singers, ‘Love Is Here To Stay’ celebrates Gershwin’s 120th anniversary with a new recording of timeless American popular standards and jazz repertoire." -

that restful summer our boats anchored together the loon's distant call ________________________________ Image: "robin hood, maine" Artist:  e.e. cummings Medium: Oil on canvasboard -

And now a helpful word from The Vidalia Onion : For all who are making those Thanksgiving plans...May you find enough Episcopalians to bring sufficient decorum to the holiday table (or at least a détente until the last slice of pumpkin pie is served). ________________ Cartoon by Andy Marlette , editorial cartoonist for the Pensacola News Journal (and nephew of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Doug Marlette). -

"When I Grow Too Old to Dream," by the legendary Nat King Cole -

I had forgotten that I wrote this a couple of years ago when someone suggested I write a few lines on my birthday. At the time I called it "a first draft stream-of-consciousness let-the-words-fall-into-place attempt" composed on Facebook. It showed up on my Facebook Memories today, so I share it again here: Birthday Lines Years are passing Sights are fleeting Thoughts are bleating In the meadow. Days are ending Someone calling Night is falling In the glen. Forward looking Sometimes seeming Like the dreaming Of a lark. Looking back Across the lake The foaming wake Disperses soon. In the moment Breathing deeply Nothing cheaply Enters in. Moving forward Careful choosing No sense losing In the flood. In the circle All is counted Faith comes mounted On a steed. Quiet times Though days are numbered Unencumbered Spring rolls in. Finding grace When time is swirling Love’s unfurling Fills the day.                             ...

woodland lake autumn crescent moon limned with gold ______________________________ Image: "Evening wood scene and crescent moon" Artist: e.e. cummings Medium: Oil on cardboard -

The following essay was first posted May 7, 2014. Many times in this space I have voiced my support for the Quaker concept that war is not the best way to resolve conflicts. I understand that that is not a majority opinion in America, nor is it even the prevailing tenet of many in the Christian community. Even so, if we are going to call our young men and women into service for our country, we should take heed that we are not so cavalier in our decisions to mobilize the troops. Are we fighting for freedom, or are we fighting for corporate interests? Have we lost sight of what freedom actually means? Below, I tell how I came to understand that too often “freedom has become just another word for empire.” When Freedom Becomes Another Word for Empire We have special times in which we appropriately honor those soldiers who have served our country. Veteran’s Day which we have just observed is a day to honor those who have served in the military. There are also those times when we particular...

"Mystery Train" was Elvis Presley's first break-out hit with Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee in 1955. It had been written and recorded in 1953 by Junior Parker in the Memphis Blues style. The young Elvis gave it the up and coming rockabilly touch. Addendum: What Song Was Really Elvis' First Hit? One reader let me know that Elvis' first hit was " That's Alright Mama ," recorded in 1954. This was indeed a local hit at the time, but did not make the national charts. However, since Billboard Magazine has listed the song among the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time," one can see the merits of naming "That's Alright" as his first  hit. "Mystery Train," recorded in 1955, according to Wikipedia was "the first recording to make Elvis Presley a nationally known country music star." It peaked at number 11 on the Billboard national charts and is listed in Rolling Stones "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." A thi...

The following was originally posted on February 10, 2017 as part of the Journalistic Poetry series, “ Bearing Witness to the Times .” The Keystone Pipeline controversy is once again in the news as a federal judge has issued a ruling that temporarily halts construction (“ Federal judge blocks Keystone XL pipeline, saying Trump administration review ignored ‘inconvenient’ climate change facts ”). (Photo by Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Image) Bury My Heart “Bury my heart at Wounded Knee*.” Bury our soul at Standing Rock. Bury our children in the rubble of corporate greed. In times past, Those in power  Sought to remove the indigenous people By removing their primary natural resource. Thus began a campaign of slaughter That nearly drove the American bison to extinction. It was the logical extension Of violent disregard And relentless acts of genocide Exacted over 200 years of “New World” settlement. A reprieve was granted. The bison was ultimately spared On small parcels of land. The peo...

busy street corners always find higher meaning when dogs walk humans _________________________ Image: "street corner (paris)" Artist: e.e. commings Medium: Oil on cardboard -

(Photo from the Tribute page of Contemplative Outreach San Diego ) I was sad to learn of Father Keating's passing two weeks ago, but only joy springs to mind when I think of him. He taught many modern pilgrims the concept of apophatic prayer and meditation with his centering prayer retreats and writings. He ushered many into the profound beauty of resting in silence and emptiness before God. At the website for the Center for Action and Contemplation are three short remembrances of Fr. Thomas Keating from Cynthia Bourgeault, James Finley, and Richard Rohr. There is also a link at that site where you can view the memorial service on Nov. 16. For Further Reading: “ Thomas Keating, pioneer in centering prayer, interfaith dialogue, dies at 95 ,” an extensive article in the National Catholic Reporter about Father Keating which also includes a couple of brief words of his from video recordings. “ Father Thomas Keating Is a Rebel with a Cause ,” a cover story in 5280 Denver’s Mile High M...

Morten Lauridsen has written some of the most beautiful choral works in the western musical canon. Two of my favorites are " Sure on this Shining Night ," and " O Magnum Mysterium ." He often uses poetry as the text for his musical works. "Sure on the Shining Night," for example, uses James Agee's poem for it's setting. As a poet, I was fascinated to hear this brief discussion from Lauridsen about how he sees the connection between poetry and music. -

From Bob Dylan's 1993 album, World Gone Wrong , a compilation of traditional folk and blues songs. To film the video, he went to London dressed like a man from another century. -

a morning journey  through foggy banks to the sea friends wait at sunrise ____________________________ Image: Road to the Bay Artist: e.e. cummings Medium: Oil on canvasboard -

The following poem was first posted on April 23, 2017, as part of my Journalistic Poetry series, " Bearing Witness to the Times ." The issues of immigration and sanctuary cities are still very much in the news. Last week came word that " A federal court has ruled against the Trump administration in a lawsuit over funding for 'sanctuary cities.' ” That particular court ruling had to do with the city of Seattle, WA. Previous court rulings have already ruled in favor of cities in California. This week we have had reports of troops being sent to the border to stop the caravan from Central American (even though they are still a couple of weeks away, but midterm elections are next week, so it makes for good election drama), and plans for an executive order to end birthright citizenship (even though it is a constitutional right and even Paul Ryan says he can't take that away  –  but it makes for good election drama). May we never forget that we are a place of sa...