The 60-Second Sabbath

Michigan

  • Walls

    At duskI come upon the ruinsof an ancient wall.It's graying rocks,lichen-covered and rain-smoothed,rise like disintegrating teethabove the black-eyed Susansand Queen Anne's laceof the field. Whose hands gathered and stacked these stonesand to what purpose?Was I to be kept out?Were you to… Continue reading

  • Michigan Trees, 2

    Towering over the house,a hissing, blowing, shakingtemple of treesfills my room and dreamswith whispering, sibilant, sleeptime worship. I lie motionless and silent in my bed,awed. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • Michigan Trees, 1

    All night longthe wind blows,incessant,insistent. I look out my windowat the black massesof Michigan's tall treetopswaltzing with the starlit sky beyond. Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading

  • I’ve Gotta Home in Gloryland

    My mother(clean and uprightin a white nightgownbleached whiter by chill florescent lights)is unable to recall my name,yet suddenly belts out"I've gotta home in Glorylandthat outshines the sun…"in a voice so clear and strong,it echoes down the green corridor,through the empty cafeteria,and… Continue reading

  • All God Wants

    All God wantsis to sit silently beside you on the porch swing,gazing at the sun setting over the lake,listening to the whippoorwill deep in the beech wood,watching the bats swoop after insects,knowing that this is enough. Text and image ©… Continue reading