self-knowledge
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Fault Lines
We all have fault lines– hidden veins of weakness, those places where, when stressed, we are most likely to crack. Patch them with holy spackle: bread and wine, exchanged embraces, stillness. Text and… Continue reading
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Today’s Assignment
Look steadily into the eyesof any animalwilling to accept your gaze. Be still there. What is to be known?What do you learn about yourself?What is revealed of God? Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Kiss Me
"Kiss me," he said, "or I shall die,die of a battered heart." "Oh, please," she said. "Your drama putsthe cart before the horse.You shall not die; you'll just be sad;I've often trod this course.'I'll die! I'll swoon! The bucket kickwithout… Continue reading
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Jihad
A beautiful Muslim womanjust told mewhat the word jihad means. Jihad is the call for each of usto struggle with our personal shortcomings(and we have many)and the shortcomings of our communities(and we have many). What are we lacking? Compassion? … Continue reading
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Comrades
Why do we fearour comradesfrom the underworld? They represent the realitythat underlies, undergirds us. If we are willing,they revealthe truth beneathour wearying effortto control, stifle, fathom,that which we fear will fracture us. Where darkness and light meet– beneath the… Continue reading
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Go Within
"Go within." But I am afraid. "I would be too,given what you're likely to find." That's not helping. "Go within." Hold my hand,and I shall go. "I will,but I know from experience,that you will release itat soon as you realizethat… Continue reading
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A Room for the Night
My neon flickers,but still reads VACANCY.I am a motel of emotions,hidden from the Interstate,found only when wandering back roads. Lost? Lonely?Low on funds?Leaning into your limits?There's a room for you–small, clean,with heat, hot water, genuine rest for the night. For those… Continue reading
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Going Numb
I am pressed to the bedby a curled catdreaming, whisker-twitching on my lap. Who am I to disturbsuch safety, such warmth? Perhaps he is in cahoots with the Beloved:I'm to pen one last poem,excavate one final, pithy observation,extend my silence through… Continue reading
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The Light that Comes from Us
This evening,let's sit in silence as the sun sets,leave off the lamps,let the room be lit,only by the light that comes from us. As our eyes adjust,we'll discover our glowis bright enough to find our wayacross the room,down the hall,to… Continue reading
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I Am a Poet
I finally said it yesterday:"I am a poet." I said it without discounting or qualifying,without minimizing, fencing or shrinking:I'm a poet.I write poetry. What are you that you can't yet say aloud?painter? author? woodworker?gardener? chef? photographer?scholar? theologian? meditator?yogi? mystic? athlete? child… Continue reading