joy

  • Identity

    I love the stuff of which I'm made:the brightening sky, the darkening shade,a heart that glows with generous heat,a soul that treads to death's dark beat,a varied mix of eclectic stuff,of heaven and hell, the smooth, the rough.I'm forth and… Continue reading

  • The Castle

    St. Teresa,Avilan mystic,mystery see-er,observer of God's loftiest grandeurand tiniest marvels,explains that my soulstands as a vast castle,a many-roomed mansion,an extraordinary, multi-storied highrise,gilded and jeweled. Given that–in the marvelously graced mindof this, our outwardly simple sister–my soulholds the essence of my… Continue reading

  • Worth Celebrating

    The fact that you exist–that you were createdand have  lived life to this moment–is an astonishing grace,a miracle worth celebrating. Think of some way–this minute,this hour–to honor that amazing fact,to honor your amazing self. Text and image © 2012 by… Continue reading

  • Freedom

    I am only as freeas my heart is pure. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.  Continue reading

  • Love

    The one I loveis remarkably vulnerable,unabashedly transparent,hopelessly trusting,and absolutely beautiful. And I?I am undeservedly blessed. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • The Middle of Imagination

    In the middle of imaginationlies a field where clover growswhere I am free to wander,to lie down and inhalethe green, growing goodnessand know life unbound;my spirit swellswith the utter, unfettered joyof non-commitment. I observethe unconscious desire to breathe–in and out–in and… Continue reading

  • The Visitation, May 31

    Fetal Johnny jumps for joy:Mary carries a baby boy! How do preborns–sans hesitation–understand this Visitation? See the wonder on the women's faces?Ah, the mystery of God's great graces! Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • Light

    Light suffuses him.It squeezes from his poreslike toothpaste from a million, microscopic tubes.It hurts, like reverse injections.He suffers light. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • The Table

    Stop wrestling with love,and let it win.Cry "Uncle!"and come join the family. There's a table already laid,large and laden for the lot of us. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • On Happiness

    I once had  a friendchallenge the notion,that happinessshould be a goal in life.     (This is a friend,    I might point out,    totally mystified by my enthusiasm    for things Disney.) But guess what?Turns out that happy… Continue reading