shame
mercy
First we fall and later we recover from the fall – and both are the mercy of God. – Blessed Julian of Norwich
To America – James Weldon Johnson
How would you have us, as we are?
Or sinking ‘neath the load we bear?
Our eyes fixed forward on a star?
Or gazing empty at despair?
Rising or falling? Men or things?
With dragging pace or footsteps fleet?
Strong, willing sinews in your wings?
Or tightening chains about your feet?
1,300 days
Still emerging, having learned how to breathe under water…
Christmas at Spring Harbor
late December
locked up tight
like a cloister door
a splinter of light
opens the sky
a crack before
the nurse with red hair
is there with your
meds saying
for God’s sake
close the door and
put on your clothes
I wake to doze while
beyond the walls
it’s Christmas
11.17.16 4:57 pm
truth
We Believe, finally, the truth cannot be preserved except by destruction of the enemy for, since we have identified him with error, to destroy him is to destroy error. The adversary, of course, has exactly the same thoughts about us and exactly the same basic policy by which he defends the “truth.” He has identified us with dishonesty, insincerity, and untruth. He believes that, if we are destroyed, nothing will be left but truth. – Thomas Merton
recovery
To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else. – Bernadette Devlin
sometimes people leave you halfway through the woods…
…someone is on your side, no one is alone…
1,195 days…one day at a time
