I-YOUniverse

“The Woman having a cataract removed?

Doctor, I’ve loved her, forty years I’ve loved—

her eyes. Notice how they sparkle, like

light on water? How they dance about:

beauty and dragonflies? Or, silent, how

they welcome you, invite you in, begin

a water dance with dragonflies of you,

offer safe warmth home?

You see how her beholding is no ques-

tions asked, no traps, no locks?—just grace for grace.

Another sees, perceives, beholds Truth

with a Mother’s love, like she does, One

who is love, who teaches you to, see-

ing, love, being, love, that cataracts,

downpours over steeps, in surgeon’s hands,

in your surgeon’s hands become light.”

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
     bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
     and do not forget all his benefits.

today, Lord, praising you takes

pesticiding weeds

complaints grudges aches and pains hypodermic memories

today, Lord, praising you takes

flushing who’s-gonna-stop-me sins

and years-old-used-to-be-greenish-stinking-up-the-fridge sins

today, Lord, praising you takes

warp driving out of black holes

at the heart of my galaxy

today, Lord, praising you takes

speaking in an unknown tongue of joy

acting like you crown me

 yes! you included me, yeah! you included me; oh Lord, when you said “whosoever,” you included me!

crown us every one with steadfast love and mercy

you  satisfy us with good as long as we live

and flame-moulten phoenixes take flight new-fledged

imprisoned in a crippled body

(persuaded muscles matter most)

envying the berserker his might,

had I only one wish of the Almighty,

it would be for one day more with you

struggling in a sinner’s soul

(more self unforgiving than forgiven)

longing to be holy for real,

had I only one prayer of the Holy One,

it would be to be more holy like you

living in a rebel’s heart

(more often hidden or imagined than real)

wandering outside the camp,

could I change one thing about myself,

it would be to be a friend more often like you

but heart, soul, and body are my own

(gifts from God I seldom comprehend),

my life is what it is, come what may,

and all it is, because of you, is better,

and all it is is yours.