The 60-Second Sabbath

past

  • Sophia Again

    She stepped from the broom closetlike a dinner guest exiting the powder room."Missed me?" she asked. "Like gas pain," I answered. "You know I'm here to relieve the pain?" "Yes, I know that." She eyed the box of Russel Stovers… Continue reading

  • Advent Lantern

    I hold my lantern overhead,and turning, look back at the past–such darkness blocks remembrance,only pinpricks of light in a field of black. I turn to look ahead.The light of my lanterncannot penetrate the fog of future's uncertainty.I hear muffled voices;unformed… Continue reading

  • Haiku 2

    silent, dusty roomsphotographs stand sentinelancestors whisper Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.   Continue reading

  • The Mystery of Our Faith

    Christ has died.     I am lost in memory,    in the traditions of my family and faith,    in a past that both comforts and cuts,    that hounds and heals.    But the past is necessarily   … Continue reading

  • 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

  • This Garden

    This garden,hidden up the hillabove the oldest gravestones,has a gate but no fence. I enter through the gate,though it means extra stepsaround the overgrown perimeter. This gardenis lush with silver leaves–no flowers, no buds preparing to open,    no dried… Continue reading

  • You and I

    You and Iare creating a worldwe will never see, a world of peoplewe will never meet–shaped by our choices,by our cruelty or compassion. Live today for their tomorrow. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.    Continue reading

  • The Dresser

    The dresser(in which reside my underwear and socks)is an antique,formerly owned by my sister(now deceased). Sometimes at night,with only a candle burning,I wish with all my heartto see her in the flecked, speckled mirror,to observe her pulling back her hair,putting… Continue reading

  • New York City View, May, 2002

    We view the pastonly through the lens of the present.Can we trust this perspective? In the photo below,that which is modernshapes our vision of that which is oldas the sleek glass of a contemporary skyscraperreflects classic New York architecture.Only a… Continue reading

  • Snacking on Human Remains

    I'm dreaming, and in my dream, I'm looking at a new product, either candy or snacks made from human remains. And while the idea seems slightly repellent, it isn't entirely so–it seems like a good use of a resource that… Continue reading