*...there is an innate feeling that the person is of primary importance, and that the anger born out of the heart of life is often the only way to break open the path of truth... It seems that a person's life is decided very often by a few decisions to say NO.
-from Eternity, My Beloved, Jean Sulivan

*To Listen

fold yourself

without crushing

into a quiet

place

set aside

all device

notice

without strain

yourself

disappear

into 

presence

-Jerry Schroeder, Cap.

An After-thought

I take a walk into the yard

to watch and see the lilies grow

then I down the boulevard stride

and pass a bum in tattered "silks".

The poor lad lays upon the walk

and cries his brother-lips to mine

yet, spied, I look upon his face

and chase him back before the gate.

When orphans sit upon the fence

to watch my hurried gait stride by

it's only speed that soothes my mind

of all the pain that they've transgressed.

I circle back and pass the slums

but steer clear of those smelly sighs;

the people here are only rats

the very thought can slay their pride.

I scoot fast past a beggar's plate

and jaundiced when he wheezed his cry

for I need weed the lily patch

before the cloak of darkness falls.

Now that day has pleased me well

and life has scarred my sanctum'd bliss

'tis time I stop and think awhile

and check my spirit's blamelessness.