The 60-Second Sabbath

where spirit and image merge

Latest Posts

  • I’d Rather See a Sermon

    (Written when I was in junior high school…) I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.I’d rather one should walk with me than merely point the way. The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear.Fine… Continue reading

  • 12th Night

    He was the eldest of the shepherd band,and because of his dimmed hearingthe angel choir had been but a droning.While he was aware of the brightness,it seemed as if the sun flashed for a momentin the middle of a typical,… Continue reading

  • On the 10th Day of Christmas

    “Little is the Lord, and greatly to be loved.” –Bernard This is part of the reasonChristmas so appeals to me:God comes in complete innocence and purity,complete weakness and vulnerability. I might paraphrase Bernard and say:“Helpless is the Lordand gently to… Continue reading

  • Bird Song

    slipsdipsdripsdropshops one note pouring gliding coasting into another joy Text and image © 2025 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

    Bird Song

  • Give Me the Sorrow of Ages

    (September 8, 2025) Presenting the sorrow of ages,    laid as a gift at your feet,the searching of fools and of sages,    the quests they would never complete. Presenting the sorrow of ages,    dumped with despair in your… Continue reading

  • Fall

    (Written October 1981.) Who put the light bulbs in these trees? Look at that–     it’s glowing from inside–     translucent pumpkin orange–     burning fire-yellow–     flaming engine-red–     spring-stream, yellow-green. This is a neon woods,… Continue reading

    Fall

  • The Boy and the Stick

    (Written July 6, 1980.) Our nature instructor     shared a story about a class like this one,     only taught to kids. She’d gone through the explanation     about “sitting there and not doing anything,”    … Continue reading

    The Boy and the Stick

  • Full Moon

    (Written May 29, 1980.) silver diskslips in and outof cloud slots; shades of gray,dark, dark blue,and dusty rust; ghostly white aurabackgrounds it all;full moon Text and image © 2025 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.Visit The60SecondSabbath.com, where spirit and image merge. Continue reading

  • Beach Grass

    (Written on the shore of Lake Michigan, May 14, 1980.) Last year's beach grass:     bent,    bowed,    bleached to beige,    blown southward. This years:     green,    growing,    graceful, life-filled curves    all-directions. The contrast inspires… Continue reading

  • Homecoming

    (Written May 14, 1980.) The starling parentFlies to the pinesAnd lands near the topOn an outstretched branch. Then,As if crossing a moat,They walk the branch bridgeAnd disappear behindPine needle walls. The visual image of the starlingIs immediately replaced by an… Continue reading