Sunday, April 16, 2006

Psalm 31:9-16

9Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble;
My eye wastes away with grief,
Yes, my soul and my body!
10For my life is spent with grief,
And my years with sighing;
My strength fails because of my iniquity,
And my bones waste away.
11I am a reproach among all my enemies,
But especially among my neighbors,
And am repulsive to my acquaintances;
Those who see me outside flee from me.
12I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind;
I am like a broken vessel.
13For I hear the slander of many;
Fear is on every side;
While they take counsel together against me,
They scheme to take away my life.
14But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God."
15My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,
And from those who persecute me.
16Make Your face shine upon Your servant;
Save me for Your mercies' sake.

The way I was feeling . . .

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Early Ice Out • April 11, 2006

Silver filigree of thin ice reflecting a grey sky.
Dark water reflecting the browns and evergreen of surrounding hills,
naked but for the deadwood of winter
and patches of grimy snow in shaded pockets.

Lone bald eagle circles the lake --
seeking fish or partner, I do not know --
circling, circling, then sails over the distant hill
to find his fortune in food or love elsewhere.

Ice out in the Adirondacks means mud on the trails,
trout on the line, and the blossoming of crocuses and snow drops.
Spring is a beautiful time, if you like grey skies
over a brown and grey landscape.

And then THE SUN!
Warm beyond warmth soaking sun-starved flesh
of bare arms and upturned faces.
Heart and soul rejoice for Spring!