Photography
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At the Brink
Visiting the Grand Canyon,I stretched out on a flat rockand inched forwarduntil my head was over the edge.I looked down into miles of emptiness. My brain said,"Ninety-five percent of youis secure on the rock."My spirit–dizzy and unseated–said, "You will fall–are falling,plummeting… Continue reading
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The River of Yearning
You fight the current. Stop rowing.Watch the oars slip from the oarlocksand slide downstream. One you let go,once you relax into the river's pull,then the herons appear,lifting you from your leaky longingand placing you gently amongthe great, green, silent reedsswaying… Continue reading
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The Womb
I'm in the marketfor a new womb;I'm ready to begin again. They aren't sold on Amazon;I checked. One can a rent a wombif you're looking to have a babybut can't do it yourself…or opt not to. But I seek a… Continue reading
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WWJS
WWJSWho would Jesus shoot? WAWWJCWhich assult weapon would Jesus carry? He lived in a worldas dangerous as ours,this Prince of Peace, then took a bulletto save it. We'd be doomedif he'd returned fire for fire. "Father, forgive them–they know not… Continue reading
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Hiking with Death
Climbing the trail,I'm joined by a young woman. We chat,observing the shift toward winter,the changing colors,the increasing coolness,how this path of gravelwill soon be packed with snow,rutted by cross-country skis,pocked with snow-shoe tracks. "Your name?" I ask. "My friends call… Continue reading
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For Me
My poems,my photographs–they live for me, to please me, to nurture me, to move me. Through them,I journey onward. Or, perhaps,they manifest for their own sake. Or, perhaps,for God's. Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries.… Continue reading
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Looking Back on the Day of Epiphany
So the tree is down and gone for another year.The living room expands, which is a plus,and the furniture breathes deeperand eases back into its familiar placement. But gone, as well, are the colored lights,the sparkle of ornaments,the friendly jostling… Continue reading
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In the Forest
You are lost in a forest.The undergrowth blocks you.Trees lean in.Light fades.Unidentified noises circle. What dangers waitin the creeping darkness? You know, don't you?You've always feared your erratic behaviors your in-crowding thoughts, your disquieting longings, your… Continue reading
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Empty
"This morning,"she said,hands wrapped for warmtharound her coffee cup,"I woke up empty." "Empty?" he asked,spoonful of All-Branhalfway to his mouth."Empty as in…how?"For him,empty could be good, like Zen: open, clear, ready.Or empty could be sad, like death: … Continue reading
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Four Lines
I offer four lines,one to save myselfand three to save the world: "I'd rather be kind than right." "I was wrong." "I'm sorry." "Hold me." In vulnerability waits salvation. Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.… Continue reading