The 60-Second Sabbath

Gratitude

  • The Door of Stillness

    I slam my fist.I slam my fist,I slam my fistagainst the door of stillness. Why deny me entrance? It finally occurs to meto sit in stillness,until stillness welcomes me. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • The Spirits

    The spirits assemble–the spirits of wholeness, joy and beauty,the spirits of unity, wonder and courage–and, in a circle of unbroken power and healing,their common prayersflow like streams–cool, clear, inexorablethrough the heart of humanity. We can not but be cleansed. Text… Continue reading

  • Time

    Time to write. Time for silence. Time to let God speak. Time to know who I am. Time to be grateful. Time to be human. I have all the time. I not only have the time, I have all the… Continue reading

  • You

    I spent my lifeseeking you,my soul-friend. At first you seemed to mea mirrorreflecting my history,    my loss,    my courage. Now I knowyou are the voice of sustenance,    challenge,    nurture. Who knewthat consentwould be so easy,    so stabilizing,   … Continue reading

  • Prayer 2

    God of infinity:in the curve of your embrace,within and without time,all-enfolding,expansive:make space for me. How small I must appear.  Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.   Continue reading

  • The Border of Language

    I like lurking at the border of language,where the tongue blurs, slurs with vagueness. I hover here at the brink of Eden,eager to taste my own marrow. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • Rain 2

    Thomas Merton speaks poeticallyof the "voice" of the rain:"…all that speech pouring down,selling nothing,judging nobody,drenching…" I delight in rain's intentional purposelessness. "I am here for my own sake,"says the rain."I am eternal.I am life. "Close your eyes and listen:hiss, plash,… Continue reading

  • The Supper

    "We have here,"he said,"all the elements of the perfect supper."He waved his hand grandly across the table."Bread, freshly-baked, steaming from the oven,soft and hot as your midnight touch;water, cold and clear as crystal,bracing as your honesty, cleansing as your tender… Continue reading

  • The Steady

    There are waysto be renewedby the ancient:stand silent and mindful    in a rank of redwood minarets,    beneath a sequined Montana night,    at the apex of a Mayan pyramid,    on the unsteady edge of an ocean's immensity, … Continue reading

  • Wisdom

    Solomon, Buddha, Muhammad, Christ–we look to you for sound advice.And what recommendation are you quick to give?"From each heart alone, one learns to live." Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading