church in the snow
Every morning
the world
is created.
Under the orange
sticks of the sun
the heaped
ashes of the night
turn into leaves again
and fasten themselves to the high branches ---
and the ponds appear
like black cloth
on which are painted islands
of summer lilies.
If it is your nature
to be happy
you will swim away along the soft trails
for hours, your imagination
alighting everywhere.
And if your spirit
carries within it
the thorn
that is heavier than lead ---
if it's all you can do
to keep on trudging ---
there is still
somewhere deep within you
a beast shouting that the earth
is exactly what it wanted ---
each pond with its blazing lilies
is a prayer heard and answered
lavishly,
every morning,
whether or not
you have ever dared to be happy,
whether or not
you have ever dared to pray.
Let us join together in singing our opening hymn.
Julie Miller will now lead our time of confession: "Broken Things."
Our first reading is "Poem" by Mary Oliver.
Our second hymn will be led by Emmylou Harris and Robert Duvall: "I Love to Tell the Story."
Our second reading is "Thanks" by W. S. Merwin.
Let us now come together for Communion.
The Gatlin Brothers will offer our closing hymn.
Let us go out with joy as Lyle Lovett and his Large Band offer the postlude.
Go in peace, live in grace, trust in the arms that will hold you.
Peace,
Milton
